Colchester mum fined for taking daughter on holiday during term

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

Maria Wood was fined by her daughter's primary school for taking her on an unauthorised holiday to Scarborough in July.

Maria Wood of Colchester was fined by Brinkley Grove Primary School, run by Essex County Council, after taking her daughter Jenna-Mae out of school from 10 to 17 July for a holiday in Cayton Bay near Scarborough. She has received a notice warning of possible magistrates' court proceedings.

Ms Wood says she has attempted to appeal the fine, which she received in mid-September, but describes the process as 'impossible'. She states that while the letter comes from the council, appeals must go through the school, and she has received no response despite multiple visits to the school office and messages to staff.

Ms Wood said she wanted her daughter to spend time with her grandmother. She has described learning 'the importance of family time' after losing her son, J-Jay, to a rare form of cancer aged ten in 2022. Her mother, Sally Ruggier, was being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and sepsis at the same time. 'When my mum decides to book and pay for a holiday to spend quality time with Jenna-Mae and myself, I am very reluctant to say no,' Ms Wood said.

How it is being reported

• Grieving Colchester mum fined for taking child on holiday during termA Colchester mum is furious after being fined and threatened with court action for taking her daughter on holiday during the last week of school.Echo (Basildon) · 27 Oct, 17:00
• Grieving Colchester mum fined for taking child on holiday during termA Colchester mum is furious after being fined and threatened with court action for taking her daughter on holiday during the last week of school.Colchester Gazette · 27 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Maria Wood · Jenna-Mae Wood · Brinkley Grove Primary School · Essex County Council · Colchester · Scarborough

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