In recent news, a devoted father found himself facing a fine of nearly five hundred British pounds after making a tough decision. Paul Benson, a 35-year-old father, and his wife Jessica, 34, embarked on an unforgettable journey by taking their children out of school for a magical trip to Disney World in the middle of the school year. Little did they know that their seemingly ingenious plan to save money on their vacation would lead to unexpected consequences.
Now, the father has been ordered to pay 480 British pounds due to the school’s disapproval of their decision to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Disney World in Orlando. Mr. Benson expressed his concern over the impact this had on his children’s social experience at school, as they felt somewhat isolated upon returning from their exciting adventure. To his dismay, what should have been a cherished family vacation turned into an ordeal with the school treating it as if it were a “criminal activity.”
Nonetheless, the father firmly believes that their choice to visit Disney World in September was a wise one. By opting for this off-peak season, their two-week trip cost them a modest five thousand dollars instead of the exorbitant fifteen thousand dollars during the peak period. Mr. Benson argues that those who can afford vacations during scheduled breaks are often “super earners” who can afford to pay a premium for their trips.
Reflecting on their experience, he shared, “It wasn’t solely the fine that troubled us; it was the fact that spending time with our family became criminalized. Teachers would remind us of the negative impact on our children’s education, but our eldest child, who participated in her SATS, remained one of the top performers. It contradicted what we were constantly told. It dealt a severe blow to us. My wife even expressed her concerns, feeling that only privileged individuals could truly enjoy a holiday – those super earners who have the means. It’s a matter of unequal opportunities.”
This wasn’t the first time Paul had taken his children, George and Ruby, out of school for a trip to Disney World. Their initial adventure took place back in 2018, and now, with the addition of their two-year-old Olive, he yearns to create cherished memories for the entire family. However, this time, when he withdrew his twelve and ten-year-old children from school, the school administration reacted strongly, leading to the subsequent fine.
Prior to both Disney trips, teachers had cautioned Mr. Benson about the possibility of facing penalties from the town council of Redcar, North Yorkshire, for unauthorized absences during the school year. He further explained, “With my wife working for the NHS, there was a substantial backlog of operations due to the pandemic. The competition for holiday leave among staff was intense. Taking time off during the standard school breaks was simply not feasible.”
