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Jonathan Platt raised £10,577 from 810 supporters
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Closed 08/10/2016
Weʼve raised £10,577 to Help fight the the IW Council and the Department for Education in their attempts to criminalise ANY day that a child misses from school
- Nettlestone and Seaview, Nettlestone, United Kingdom
- Funded on Saturday, 8th October 2016
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Story
I'm the dad on the Isle of Wight who won the case at the IW Magistrates Court and then at the High Court over 'school fines' for term time holidays. Last week the Isle of Wight Council, with financial backing from the Department for Education, filed papers at the UK Supreme Court, seeking permission to appeal the High Court decision of the 13th May. If they get permission to appeal then the very reasonable and common sense decision of the High Court, that requires local authorities to look at a child's wider attendance before fining or prosecuting parents is at risk. The Department for Education have appointed 2 barristers, one a QC (a top barrister) and they are seeking to argue that the words 'REGULARLY ATTENDS' actually means 'ATTENDS EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT THE SCHOOL REQUIRES IT'. If that becomes law, then ANY parent who takes their child out of school, even for one session (half a day), without permission of the Headteacher will have committed a criminal and IMPRISONABLE offence. I find it staggering that they would seek to impose such a draconian law upon parents and I WANT to fight this, but it is costing me a small fortune. Responding to their June application to appeal that was refused by the High Court cost me over £3000 and I was NOT awarded my costs in respect of that part of the fight. I did not seek my costs at Magistrates Court so I was out £960. My costs dealing with this latest attempt to get permission to appeal could well exceed £5000. Unless I can get the support of parents all over the country, there is a very real possibility that I will have to 'withdraw from the fight' and potentially let them win because the 'costs risks' are now more than one private individual can afford. Thank you all for your continued support whether you are able to donate to this fight or not.
Updates
4
- 8 years ago
Jonathan Platt
8 years agoA HUGE thank you to all the parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles that have donated. As I explained, it appears now that these funds will not now be needed (as legal aid has been awarded). 4 people have asked for a refund, and I am working with Justgiving to process those refunds. Justgiving have already told me that THEY can't process the refunds themselves so I will have to as soon as the money comes into my account. I can't however release the funds until they provide me with a list of who made what payments. Please bear with me.
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- 8 years ago
Jonathan Platt
8 years agoA big landmark. Over £10,000 raised from 779 people. That you all very much. :)
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- 8 years ago
Jonathan Platt
8 years agoJust passed the 400 donations. £ 4777 already donated by parents all over the country. Thank you all very much 😀
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- 8 years ago
Jonathan Platt
8 years agoIn just a couple of hours 124 people have donated over £1400. I am truly humbled by the generosity of parents and grandparents all over the Country and their willingness to help fund this fight against attempts to criminalise ANY unauthorised absence from school, even a single session. I have to say that I seriously thought about giving up and taking whatever outcome the Supreme Court decided but with the support of people like you I will be able to ensure that OUR voice is heard in the Supreme Court and I thank you all for that.
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Jonathan Platt started crowdfunding
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Supporters
810
Anonymous
Oct 7, 2016
Good luck! We're behind you.
£10.00
Anonymous
Oct 5, 2016
£10.00
Jo
Oct 4, 2016
Thank You
£10.00
Anonymous
Oct 4, 2016
Another small donation, we've got to fight this as its for all us parents, Jon is just our spokesperson!
£10.00
Anonymous
Oct 4, 2016
Wish I could donate more...
£5.00
Anonymous
Oct 3, 2016
£10.00
Cath Hewitt
Oct 3, 2016
Fighting the good fight!!
£5.00
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