Should Parents Face Holiday Fines?

The great summer getaway has begun: airports are jam-packed with families heading away for some quality time together while the motorways go into gridlock. Can you blame  families for wanting to get a head start on the summer holiday madness? There has been a lot of discussion recently over the fines imposed by schools on parents who take their children out of school. Since a change in the system in September 2013, parents are liable to pay a £60 fine, per child, to their local authority for unauthorised absences during term time. If it isn’t paid, parents face further fines and possible prosecution. All sounds pretty harsh, right?

We all know the travel industry lowers its holiday prices off peak and the most expensive time to travel is during the summer holidays – to the detriment of families. So what do we do?

Holiday website, Travelzoo, recently issued the results of its ‘Parent Trap 2015 Study’ in which it polled over 2000 parents of state-school children, and 500 primary and secondary-school teachers. It found 50% of parents had lied to their schools to avoid being fined when they take their children out of school during term time while 69% disagreed with the fines.

In Travelzoo’s study, what I found really interesting was that eight out of 10 teachers admitted that missing the last few days of school would not damage a child’s education while over 60% admitted pupils would mostly be playing games and 50 per cent said they would be putting on a DVD for the class. This sounds very familiar – who else remembers being physically and mentally exhausted by the end of term and not being able to absorb any more information? I do! The VHS (I’m so old!) came out a fair few times in my end of term classes.

classroom

Although I am a huge advocate for standard school education, I also believe travel helps enrich and is an education in itself. I remember returning from my year out travelling after university and I almost wished I could do my degree again because I had a renewed perspective on life. I certainly regretted not doing more travel before I embarked on my studies.

The same goes for younger children. Travel is a learning process, a chance to experience different places, cultures and think and breathe with space and time in new environments as well as to spend quality time together as a family. My two-year-old daughter gets so much out of travel, whether it be a new country, city, word, taste, smell or the ability to converse with a variety of people of all ages. It does wonders for her confidence. Travel for her is one big learning process and adventure. Every time we return from a break, her nursery school teachers remark on how much she has developed while we have been away.

Mrs T at the swimming pool playground

We have another year until we personally fall into the ‘Parent Trap’ so it is difficult to say what we will do. I would not have a problem taking her out for the odd day and having to pay the fine but it would be a huge shame if it were to cause issues with her teachers. I am hoping we have an understanding school and headteacher who won’t frown upon our decision.

It does feel like families are being penalised with many being unable to afford the holiday they want. Holidays at peak time are as much as 40% higher than outside school summer-holiday dates. This is huge so goes some way to explaining why so many are prepared to pay the fine – it just makes financial sense.

Beach time

One good thing to come out of the continuing campaign is that the Airport Passenger Duty tax for under 12s was scrapped in December 2014 and will apply to under 16’s from May 1st 2016. The UK has the most expensive air duty in the world so the Government’s concession will certainly help.

I am not sure what the overall solution is but the word ‘common sense’ comes to mind. The reins of power on deciding whether a child can be taken out of school should down to the headteacher and school rather than the local authority and looked at on a case by case basis. Surely, if a child has a good attendance record and is on top of their work, a couple of days out of school will make little difference in the grand scheme of things? Surely a holiday is an education in itself and it is better to have one than none at all. Surely, as parents, we are capable of deciding what is best for our child and have their best interests at heart. As for the idea of schools staggering their holidays, while this sounds like a good idea in theory I can’t see travel prices coming down enough for us to see a massive difference.

The issue of whether parents should or should not pay fines is only set to get more heated as petitions are signed and parents rally the government to change the guidelines for local authorities. What do you think? Would you pay the fine or follow the line? Has your relationship with your school  been compromised? I would love to know your thoughts and experiences.

If you are having difficulties with your school granting leave, the organisation Parents Want A Say could help.

The Dad Network

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Best of Worst


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

For the latest news, posts and competitions sent directly to your inbox -
sign up below:


*You can view our privacy policy here


Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

27 Comments
  1. seems like a big “overreach” on the part of the school system. I understand attendance is important, but besides the cost factor you mentioned, a lot of places are less busy and more enjoyable when school is still in session. I haven’t heard of anything like this around here but I’m sure there must be some places that do it. I’m philosophically against anybody implying that I’m not doing what is best for my kid and don’t think I would take kindly to this
    jeremy@thirstydaddy recently posted…Sleepaway CampMy Profile

    1. Hi Jeremy, it’s really interesting to hear about what the situation is like in other countries. It does feel as though they just don’t trust parents to make the right decision. And while I understand some schools struggle with poor attendance and are concerned about their school getting a bad score, it does penalise families, especially those who can’t afford to travel at peak season. Oh, and you are right it’s SO much nicer going when it’s quieter. Thanks for stopping by. x

  2. It’s such an inflexible system – that’s part of the issue I have. I agree that travel can be amazingly educational, especially for younger kids, and while I understand that there have to be guidelines for schools, how can you treat a 15yo with bad attendance missing a week before exams the same as a primary school age child with a perfect record missing a day at the end of term.
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…The July round-upMy Profile

    1. That is totally crazy – it seems the attendance records are being far too closely scrutinised and talk about counterproductive! If a child is ill and coming into school, it’s just going to make more children ill. Working adults would definitely not be treated like this. X

  3. I don’t know why but this makes me really angry. I feel like it’s disempowering parents. It’s patronising to suggest a parent cannot make a decision about whether a few days out of school will be detrimental or not. It’s also very lazy, I don’t think it would be too much trouble to determine the difference between some absence and too much absence. #bigfatlinky
    Charlene recently posted…Before I had a husbandMy Profile

  4. Elizabeth, you know exactly how I feel about this subject matter… And I agree with everything that you say… travel does enrich our children’s lives… and a one glove fits all system isn’t working… at all. I never knew about the Parents Want A Say organisation. What a great resource
    Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Monday Escapes #10My Profile

    1. Hey! It’s really interesting to hear what goes on elsewhere in the world. You are right, NZ is a beautiful place but think you are probably just a bit more relaxed!! Thanks for stopping by xx

  5. I’m so happy to be past all of this with my kids as it’s a complete nightmare! I don’t see how you can have a ‘one size fits all’ set of rules. Surely it’s OK for a child of primary school age to miss a few days and maybe impose stricter rules for children who are in high school?
    Izzie Anderton recently posted…Keep Calm and Hold on to Your SeatMy Profile

    1. Exactly! You would think so. You are right, a ‘one size fits all’ just doesn’t work. Lucky you for swerving all this – just more school politics to navigate! Xx

  6. During the last days of school my son punch someone. So unlikely of him but looking at it now and how tired he looks in the last week of school. We really need some changes in the law to help the parents and the travel industry! #pocolo
    Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…SebastianMy Profile

    1. That’s interesting Vicky! I hope my school will be understanding like that… It does make a difference and I can’t imagine much work happened on that Monday. Thanks for hosting #pocolo xx

  7. This issue annoys me so much. Why fine people who take their kids out for a holiday once a year, why not focus more efforts on families where the kids are continuously absent for no true reason? I wont ever have second thoughts about taking my kids out of school for a holiday, because they have pretty perfect attendance the rest of the time and we encourage attainment when they are in school. There is no way a holiday could be anything other than beneficial, whether it’s to see family or new cultures or to try new activities…where are the negatives?

    #pocolo
    @SarahAnneDG recently posted…#LittleLoves – One Direction, swimming, Tori Amos and a millionaire murdererMy Profile

  8. Great post, it does seem to tally over the top to issue fines, especially in primary school. If the kids are doing their GCSEs or Alevels, well fair enough, it could damage their education to take them out, but when they’re five? I agree with you that they could gain far more from a week with their family in a new place. We have our eldest starting in September so I am weighing up our options! Becky x #bestandworst
    Becky recently posted…Eleven Things about me, as asked by RunJumpScrapMy Profile

    1. Thanks Becky, it does seem ridiculous to impose fines at primary school level especially when it is a beneficial holiday. Good luck with it all from September. Xx

  9. I’ve never done it myself but only because having 3 kids it’s a military operation but I do feel it’s really getting silly.I know lots of parents who just “chuck a sickie” for the kids when it’s holiday time so surely they get a black mark as such either way.Shame the holiday companies can’t sort the prices to be more affordable so people don’t have to take the kids out of school but I think primary age kids are not suffering from a few days off anyway x #bestandworst
    Pickinguptoys recently posted…Daft things my kids say!My Profile

    1. Yes! You are totally right. It is sad that parents feel as though they have to lie to their schools, and in turn, their children lie to teachers etc. Doesn’t set a great example but you can see why they do it! x

  10. We are not at that age yet lovely but I think it is all bonkers. I know I would take my girl out for a big family break to Disney Land for example. It’s cheaper and the parks are quieter. If she had good attendance and I could do some catch up work, why not? You are right…they develop so much when being away. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst and see you again xx
    Sarah Howe (@RunJumpScrap) recently posted…The Last 2 Week’s at a Glance – The HighlightsMy Profile

    1. You are so right! So many advantages to going off peak. And like you say, we would work extra hard to make sure they caught up. Thanks for hosting #bestandworst

  11. Well that is a big put off for having kids in the UK. I’m from New Zealand and undoubtably would like to take the kids home for Christmas once and a while, and not just for a week and a half (it’s a long way!).
    Rachel recently posted…Wedding Cake Tasting!My Profile

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

%d bloggers like this: