Island about right on absence rules says union secretary

The Island has it about right when it comes to taking students out of school during term time.

That's the belief of a local teacher and Secretary of the Island branch of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. 

In the UK there's been a sharp rise in the number parents being fined for taking their children out of school during term time and headteachers there no longer have the discretionary powers to grant absences - not currently the situation on the Island.

Andrew Shipley says as a teacher it can be very difficult if students are absent during term time as it's hard for them to then catch up on the work.

He believes it's a difficult balancing act for parents, schools, employers and students.