A CHAIRMAN of governors at a Bradford primary school has been forced to quit after taking his daughter out of lessons to go on a three-day holiday to see Santa Claus in Lapland.

Steve Ockerby has resigned from the board of governors at Shibden Head Primary Academy in Queensbury, in the face of fierce criticism from many parents at the school after family pictures of the trip were posted on social networking site Facebook.

Mr Ockerby and his wife's decision to take their daughter and their son, who attends Queensbury School, out of class comes at a time when Bradford Council is carrying out a crackdown on school attendance.

The family also decided to press ahead despite being told beforehand by the Shibden Head school their daughter's absence would be treated as "unauthorised".

Councillor Ralph Berry, the executive member for children's services, called Mr Ockerby's decision to take the holiday in term time as "breathtaking" and pointed out that school attendance rules applied to all parents.

Mr Ockerby, a West Yorkshire firefighter, confirmed to the Telegraph & Argus he had resigned from his position as governor but said he remained "totally committed" to the school.

He said: "My role in the Fire Service dictates I have to work shifts and have an allocated holiday pattern which leaves me with no choice over when I can take holiday.

"We followed the correct procedure, according to the school policy, to request leave of absence during school time, and we received notification back from the school that the trip would be unauthorised.

"This is the first time we’ve taken our child out of school. My daughter has a 100 per cent attendance record and is achieving well.

"However, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the whole of my family.

"I understand that people will condemn me for my decision. They are, of course, entitled to their opinion.

"It is unfortunate that my family’s enjoyment has caused some parents so much distress.

"I am fully aware that my actions may result in a fine. I will pay whatever sanction is imposed.

"I remain totally committed to supporting the school. However, as people are very quick to condemn my actions and after nearly five years of dedication, commitment and time, I feel it is in my best interest to resign from the governing body as my family will always come first."

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council's executive for children's services, welcomed Mr Ockerby's resignation.

He said: "For a governor of a Primary Academy to take his children out of school during term time while we have a major drive on school attendance is somewhat breathtaking.

"He has done the right thing in resigning.

"School attendance is a major priority in this city. It is part of raising standards of achievement. Every day lost in education is learning lost.

"The rules apply to everybody."

Cllr Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury), a former governor at the school, said: "It was not a wise thing to do under the circumstances, in view of the problem with children being off and keeping kids off school outside school holiday time.

"Being chairman of governors, really he should be backing up the school and the school's policy."

In a joint statement, Sarah Thornton, head teacher at Shibden Head Primary Academy and Helen Rowland, of Focus-Trust, the charitable trust which helps run the school, said Mr Ockerby 's decision to resign was a "huge loss".

"In this role, Mr Ockerby has given a significant amount of his own personal time and made a substantial contribution to the strong leadership of the academy," the statement said.

"This will be a huge loss to the governing body and school.

"We are all saddened that this matter has overshadowed what has otherwise been a shining example of governance and role model to other parents."

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