AN ANGRY father has branded a school’s policy “ridiculous” after he was refused permission to take his autistic son on holiday during term time.

Roy Duffy had planned to take his family on holiday in July, when destinations are not as busy compared to the summer holidays.

As Mr Duffy has two autistic children, one aged five and the other aged 23, he applied for “exceptional circumstances” to Merton Infant School – where his youngest son Thomas is a pupil.

But Mr Duffy, who lives in Silvester Close, was told this was not an appropriate reason to take a child out during term time.

“When I spoke to his teacher at first they didn’t seem to think it would be an issue, but as soon as it went to the headteacher, we were refused,” Mr Duffy told The Gazette.

“What is frustrating is that my daughter’s school said if Merton were happy to allow us to take Thomas out of school they would be fine with it.

“As a family we find it hard to take holidays with two autistic children who don’t deal well with crowded spaces, so we wanted to go when it was a bit quieter, so they could enjoy themselves.”

He was told the decision had been made by the board of governors, who then said the final decision was with the headteacher.

Mr Duffy added: “I just feel like I’m going backward and around in circles. It’s just ridiculous.”

After hearing about the high court case of Jon Platt, who appealed against a £120 fine for taking his daughter out of school, the father-of-five said he might have to bite the bullet and take the fine.

But he said he would continue to challenge the school.

He added: “At first this was just about my family, but I don’t want this happening to others and I have had a lot of support in going against this, and I have even spoken to the Autistic Society as well.”

Headteacher at Merton Infant School Larissa James said the school followed the absence guidelines set by Hampshire County Council.

She said: “The guidance states that children should attend school every day and that absence during term time can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

“Unfortunately, in line with that guidance, the reason given in the family’s application for an authorised absence could not be termed ‘exceptional’.”

She added: “I fully appreciate the family’s disappointment and I, with our chair of governors, are due to meet with the parents to explain the reasons for our decision.”