EASTER is almost here and the school holidays, when parents are ‘allowed’ to take their children on holiday, are about to start.

Taking holidays outside of the official holiday period is now liable to fines and legal proceedings. It is unfortunate that Hampshire and Dorset LEAs have once again, managed to set a holiday period that is disjointed.

The available time for Dorset is a week before and after the Easter celebration, while Hampshire has opted for a start on Good Friday until two weeks after the weekend.

This results in parents with children in both Hampshire and Dorset schools not being able to choose to enjoy the opportunity for a substantive break away from home or having to make care arrangements for a three-week period.

Siblings are separated for family activities except for the busiest period over the weekend of Easter itself.

At least this time the local authorities have managed to overlap by one week; in the past they have missed each other altogether resulting in these families having to make care arrangements for a four-week period and having no opportunity to Easter holiday with their children.

Given the draconian nature of the recent legislation concerning holidays in school term time, surely it is beholden upon each neighbouring authority to ensure that a duty of care is enacted, preventing such avoidable situations impacting upon a substantial number of parents and their families.

PHILIP EMMEL, Meadow Close, Sopley