As a retired headteacher I am writing in response to the letter (Wiltshire Times March 13th) concerning the school holiday policy.

Fining parents for taking children on holiday is an outrage and to my understanding this new ruling has never been public knowledge.

Once again, the headteacher is put in an extremely difficult position.

Schools need full parental support and to alienate the ones who can only afford a holiday in off peak periods just makes for bad relations.

The cause of this problem lies squarely with the travel association’s policy of high charges in August and subsequently with the government for not tackling the issue.

By levying fines Wiltshire County Council is pandering to the travel industry barons and instead should be seeking to lobby for a change in pricing policy.

In my experience many children would never have visited the seaside or a foreign country if they had not gone in term time. The sensible headteacher will turn a blind eye to the council’s policy.

P Laycock Ferris Grove Melksham