Some of you aren't reading this because you're on holiday. And a few of you will have packed your family bags some time ago, even though many school terms didn't end until yesterday.

Taking family holidays in school time is very tempting. Saving money is an obvious attraction. But I don't buy the economic argument; holidays aren't exactly essentials, like food and warmth. But I do think there are sound reasons for occasionally skiving lessons. And that's because travel is educational in itself. I don't mean kids have to spend their week away beefing up on renaissance paintings in the Prado. They could just as easily be snorkelling or walking the Welsh hills. Whichever it is, they're learning something new.

Reader Charlotte Evans asked permission for her two kids to get three weeks off primary for a family wedding in Australia. "The benefits are many," she wrote. "Mixing with children of other cultures, including a visit to an outback school where children received all their education by radio. Learning about gold and copper mining. Using different currencies . . . " And, of course, snorkelling.

But the school was unconvinced that starfish spotting was a substitute for homework, and said no. She's furious. "If you treat all absence as detrimental," she says, "you'll deny the rich and varied experiences that children encounter through foreign travel."

I phoned schools minister David Miliband's office. They said, "We have no objection to holidays in term time provided the family has the head's permission and makes arrangements to catch up school work on their return." But that's only up to 10 days. Longer than that needs "a proper discussion with the head". To me, that sounds like shorthand for an argument. But make sure it's an educational, not an economic one.

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