Mother hauled before a court for taking her son, 13, out of school to attend her Caribbean wedding

A mother who took her son out of school so he could give her away at her Caribbean wedding has been taken to court by her local council.
Frances White, of Marple near Stockport, is due to appear before magistrates next week after refusing to pay a town hall fine for her son Harrison’s 11-day absence.
Ms White, 31, said she first asked for time off for her 13-year-old son more than a year ago - so he could attend her wedding to fiance Nick Harden in St Lucia.

Bride: Frances White with her husband Nick Harden and her sons Harrison (centre right) and Alex at her wedding in St Lucia. She is due to appear before magistrates next week after refusing to pay a town hall fine for taking Harrison out of school so he could attend the ceremony

Absent without leave: Harrison walks his mother down the aisle during the Caribbean ceremony

Despite several pleas, her request was refused by Marple Hall School.
She took Harrison anyway, and was then hit with a £50 fine by the council, which she has refused to pay on principle. She has now been summoned to court with the fine standing at £100.
Ms White said: 'It is ridiculous. I can understand why these rules are needed for people who abuse the system, but this was a one-off in exceptional circumstances - it was our wedding day.

 

'One of my guests was a teacher who was given the time off, so I don’t see why we should have been any different.
'We had to book it during term time because we both work full-time and it was the only time everyone could get there, especially with it being so far away.'
Ms White said she emailed the school last year to request the time off for Harrison.
She said: 'With all the organisation for the wedding it went out of my mind. In January, I realised I hadn’t heard back so I emailed again and put in a request form.

Beach wedding: Stockport Council has now summoned Ms White to court after she refused to pay a fine for taking Harrison out of school during term time

Going to court: Ms White and Harrison outside his school gates in Marple near Stockport

'It took another three phone calls before I was able to talk to the head, at which point I was told categorically no, it would not be authorised.'
She then contacted the education department at the council, but was told it any decision was down to the discretion of the headteacher.
A spokesperson for Marple Hall School said: 'The school can clarify that it follows guidance from the local authority and national government.
'Although the school may sympathise with parent’s requests, it is obliged to follow the guidance which is clear that permission for holidays can be given only rarely.'
A spokesman for Stockport Council said: 'As schools are closed for 13 weeks a year, there is ample opportunities for holidays or family celebrations to take place outside of term time.
'Where term time holidays take place without the approval of the school, parents are liable to receive fixed penalty fines.'