Dad fined for taking daughter out of school for Jewish festival

A Jewish father plans to go to the European courts to challenge a fine imposed for taking his daughter out of school during term time to observe a Jewish festival.

The Sunday Times reports that Paul Clements, from Romford, intends to challenge a £60 fine received from Havering Council.

According to the newspaper, Clements said it is “unfair that parents have no independent appeal against the fines, which he claims is like motorists not having a right of appeal against parking penalties”.

The news comes as the National Union of Teachers backed calls for parents to be allowed to remove their children from school during term time for family holidays without fear of being penalised.