Clare Whitelegg is furious that her nine-year-old son’s primary school refused her request for him to take time off lessons to watch her marry her police officer fiancé Andy McLeary.
The school argued that the wedding did not warrant time off because it could not be classed as ‘exceptional circumstances’.
She and Mr McLeary, 37, who live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, are due to marry in her home town of Newquay, Cornwall, later today.
She insists she will refuse to pay any penalty notices imposed on her by Clive Church of England School near Shrewsbury and is prepared to face prosecution.
Sanctions that can be imposed on the parents of truanting children include a three-month jail sentence or a fine of £2,500.
The row follows a crackdown on term-time absence which removed heads’ discretion to grant up to ten days’ holiday a year.
Education Secretary Michael Gove tightened the rules from last September to prevent unnecessary disruption to children’s education.
He ordered heads to stop granting permission for term-time holidays unless families could show ‘exceptional circumstances’ such as a family bereavement.
But Miss Whitelegg, who had Riley in a previous relationship, said: ‘It’s absolutely bonkers that the school have banned my son from attending my wedding.
‘If I had gone along with the school’s ruling then there would be no wedding because I can’t leave a nine-year-old home alone for three days.
He ordered heads to stop granting permission for term-time holidays unless families could show ‘exceptional circumstances’ such as a family bereavement.
But Miss Whitelegg, who had Riley in a previous relationship, said: ‘It’s absolutely bonkers that the school have banned my son from attending my wedding.
‘If I had gone along with the school’s ruling then there would be no wedding because I can’t leave a nine-year-old home alone for three days.
Couple: Ms Whitelegg and Mr McLeary, a police officer with West Mercia Police, have been together for three years and will marry in Newquay on Tuesday
Risk: If parents fail to ensure their children attend school, they may be issued with penalty notices of £50 to £100
'Andy and I both work full-time and this is the only time we could get off work. ‘Riley is an excellent pupil. The school isn’t even holding normal lessons this week anyway because it’s sports week.’
Schools and local councils can issue £120 spot fines if pupils are absent during term-time, although they are £60 if paid within 28 days. Parents who fail to pay the penalty notices face prosecution by the council.
Miss Whitelegg, who like her fiancé works for West Mercia Police, added: ‘I am fully prepared to go to court and I will refuse to pay any fine. If it means going to prison then so be it.’
Mary Lucas, head teacher at Clive school, said: ‘The school will only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances.
‘On June 16, 2014 we received an application for a pupil leave of absence from June 23 to 25. I would have been happy to talk to the parents about this request if they had come to see me.’
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK
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