We were not authorised a holiday in November and had to pay a fine of £240. We took our 2 daughters out from school for 12 days which we know is not ideal but we wanted to have a special trip aboard (our first holiday abroad) before our eldest started secondary school. Our children go to a small village school and would have thought that our circumstance were exceptional and this is why. My husband works on a farm in our village and if you know anything about farming we cannot take holiday at certain times of the year. February- calving Easter holidays - lambing Summer - harvesting October- ploughing, drilling etc We felt this was exceptional circumstances but the head teacher did not agree. We have never had this amount of time off before and were very disappointed over the whole situation not only from the head but also the DoE who seem to have not considered families like ourselves. Family time is important!! Well done for everything you are doing, you are right 'parents want a say'