We call on the government to exempt military families from school attendance fines. Military parents often live away from home and are deployed for weeks or months at a time. These families make extraordinary sacrifices. They deserve flexibility and compassion when spending precious time together.

We believe that it is unjust that armed forces members sacrifice their safety and family life, often living apart even outside deployment, yet face restrictions on time together when they return. A strong relationship with a serving parent is vital for a child’s wellbeing. “Exceptional circumstances” are not guaranteed and remain at a headteacher’s discretion. A government that relies on the commitment and sacrifice of its armed forces should not then dictate when those same families are permitted to reunite.