I’m taking my kids out of school eight times this year – mums are mugs for paying for holidays over half term
WATCHING families stuff their car boots with suitcases for their half term break, Carla Bellucci breathes a sigh of relief.
While they might be heading to the airport for a fun-filled holiday Carla, 42, is not envious in the slightest.
Her tan from her recent trip to Marrakech might be fading but there is no place the mum-of-four would rather be than in the rainy UK.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Carla explains: “When I heard mums in the playground talking about their trips to Alicante this half term I shuddered.
“They’re forking out £3,000 for a subpar holiday in Spain – there’s just no way I would even consider going away while the schools are off.
“The thought of the screaming kids around the pool alone is enough to put anyone off.”
‘EDUCATION STARTS AT UNI’
But spare your sympathy, for Carla isn’t going without a holiday in 2024. In fact she’s got eight booked in total and is already planning for next year.
The only difference is that rather than working around her three-year-old daughter Blue’s nursery schedule she’s simply going on holiday during term time.
“I have always done it that way,” Carla, from Hitchin, Herts, says.
“I constantly took my older kids out of school when they were younger and I will be doing the same with Blue.
“After all, education starts in university, not bloody nursery.”
Carla, who earned the title of ‘Britain’s most hated woman’ after she faked depression to blag a free nose job, argues that far from taking away from their education, her holidays enhance it.
“Kids learn more going on holiday for a week than they would learn doing six months in the classroom,” she says.
“After all, Blue can practise her maths by counting how many wines I drink by the pool.
“My son Jayden is going to university next year and I took him out of school constantly- that’s all down to my fantastic parenting.”
£20K YEAR OF TRIPS
Carla has started Blue’s truanting early, having delayed her start to nursery for a trip to the Maldives in February.
“We then whisked her away to Marrakech this month where we stayed in a five star resort,” Carla says.
“It’s only her first year at nursery and she has another five trips booked – all during term time.
“We’ll be heading to Hurghada twice this year, city breaks to Barcelona and New York in September as well as Agadir and Cape Verde.
“The nursery is going insane because every time she gets back to school it’s only a few weeks until she’s away again.
I sure as hell am not giving up my life for some teacher
Carla Bellucci
“They have spoken to me on several occasions and warned me to be careful.”
While Carla won’t face any Government fines while Blue is still in nursery, once she reaches primary age she could face penalties of up to £160 per trip.
When will higher truancy fines come into place?
The laws - which will make clear fines should only be used where attendance interventions have failed - will kick in from August in time for the next school year starting in September.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan highlighted a “worldwide rise in absence” due to schools shutting in lockdown and worsening pupil’s mental health.
She said: “Our fantastic schools and teachers unlock children’s imagination, potential and social skills which is why improving attendance is my number one priority.”
But union bosses slammed the plans, with National Education Union leader Daniel Kebede saying fines were “not the answer”.
He said: “Especially in a cost-of-living crisis where some of those families may well be struggling to make ends meet, and this would simply plunge them into debt.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has vowed to tackle truancy which surged in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
The unauthorised absence rate for this academic year stands at around 2.2 per cent – roughly 200,200 kids who are skipping school.
The crackdown will compel all councils to consider fining parents if their child racks up five days off class without permission.
Currently local authorities have varying policies about when to issue fixed penalty notices.
Meanwhile fines will go up from £60 to £80 if paid within three weeks, and from £120 to £160 if paid within four weeks.
However, Carla – who has spent an estimated £20,000 on breaks this year alone – says the fine is a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of holidays during the school break.
‘FEEL SORRY FOR KIDS IN BUTLINS’
“People keep telling me I won’t be able to take Blue away when she gets to primary school – they can think again, I will still be going away eight times a year,” she says.
“Sure we’ll be charged a fine but it’s so miniscule compared to what I’d pay to take my kids away during the school holidays.
“Meanwhile we’re bagging five star prestige hotels in exotic destinations for a quarter of the price as what they’re paying for four days in Spain.
“I won’t have anyone dictate to me when I can and can’t go on holiday and I sure as hell am not giving up my life for some teacher.”
While Blue’s flashy five-star holidays might be out of reach for many, Carla says parents need to rethink their priorities.
“Culturally immersing your children from a young age is so important, that’s why I try to take Blue to so many different places,” she says.
“I do feel sorry for these kids that end up in Butlins, I’m sure it is fun but it isn’t quite the same.
“That’s not going to stop me taking Blue elsewhere, if these parents are worried about their kids being jealous they need to just do better.
“Prioritise your children and work harder.”