As an ex-teacher - I'm so glad he didn't win. The one and only time we requested leave was for our younger daughter (then in her G.C.S.E. year) and that was for one Friday when she accompanied her father, who was running in the Paris half-marathon that weekend. Part of the exam was on Paris, so she got a better idea, used the language etc.. The Asians were a dreadful problem, taking their kids out for months, and one in particular that I remember (12 yr. old girl) returned and didn't even register on the Reading Age score after her absence (she'd been almost aged 7 before - remember that the only time she spoke English was in class). Hours and hours of expensive remedial teaching ensued.
I know, who better, that it is cheaper to holiday out of school holidays - I, as a teacher, had no choice. We bought a caravan and holidayed in UK because that was the only option. Our kids were the only ones in their classes who had a grasp of UK geography and history - so I think it paid off and my point is made.