Bedfordshire head teacher cancels term-time leave

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-29730139

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A head teacher who had planned to go on a Caribbean holiday during term-time has cancelled her leave after a call for the chair of governors to resign.

Jenny Winder, head of Elstow School, near Bedford, wanted to take a week off after the Christmas break although pupils are not allowed such absences.

A parent governor wanted the chair of governors to step down after the head teacher was given permission for leave.

Bedford Borough Council said Mrs Winder will now be back at work on 5 January.

The Abbeyfields Road school, which caters for four to 11-year-olds, says on its website that parents "do not have the right" to take their child on holidays during term-time and "will not authorise" them.

The council said Mrs Winder had "cancelled the proposed leave and will be in work from the start of the new spring term on 5 January 2015".

One parent, who did not wish to be named, had previously said the head's leave was "absolutely disgusting".

"I've been fined twice for taking my children out of school and I put in a request to take them out next year and it's been refused," she said.

In September 2013 the government introduced fines for unauthorised absences by pupils.