It is generally not allowed to take a child on holiday during term time in the UK and can result in a fine of up to 160 – but there may be exceptions
If you’re planning a winter getaway to escape the UK’s chilly temperatures, be warned – you could face a £160 fine if you pick the wrong time. In the UK, taking children out of school for a holiday during term time is generally not permitted and can result in a penalty.
This follows last year’s confirmation from the Department for Education that UK schools must consider issuing a fine if a child misses 10 or more sessions without authorisation. Remember, 10 sessions equate to five school days, as each day is split into two sessions – morning and afternoon.
When a fine is handed out, parents are only required to pay £80 if they settle it within 21 days of receipt. However, if payment is made within 28 days, the fine doubles to £160.
If a parent has previously been fined for the same child within a three-year period, the higher rate of £160 is automatically applied. Moreover, parents could find themselves in deeper hot water if they exceed the limit of two fines within any three-year period. This could lead to a parenting order or even prosecution.
If you end up in court due to your child’s absence, you could be hit with a fine of up to £2,500 or even face up to three months behind bars. Government guidance reveals that approximately 89% of unauthorised absence fines are due to children being taken on holiday during term time.
Reasons why your child can miss school and avoid a fine
According to the Department for Education, you can only allow your child not to be in school when it’s open for the following reasons:
- Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance.
- You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school.
- Your child is too ill to attend that day.
- You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances.
- Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet.
Further guidance on school attendance and ascences during term time can be found here.