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Fines for taking kids out of school during term time go up from today

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Emily Sergeant - 19th August 2024

Fines for taking children out of school during term time in England are set to increase from today, the Government has confirmed.

After it was reported that nearly 400,000 penalty notices for unauthorised school absences were issued in England from 2022-23 – which was apparently much higher than pre-pandemic levels – the former Conservative Government revealed back in February its plans to “improve attendance” following a worldwide rise in absence and persistent absence.

According to Department for Education (DfE) figures released last December, almost nine in 10 (89.3%) of the fines issues were for unauthorised holidays, generally booked by families looking for cheaper off-peak trips.

Up until this point, the former Government’s plan to improve attendance has already included a number of new measures – including the expansion of so-called ‘attendance hubs’ nationally, the piloting of attendance mentors, and a national awareness campaign said to be aimed at “helping parents”.

But now, the rise in absence fines is set to be the next next measure.

From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child.

Today we've announced further changes to help reduce avoidable absences.

Find out more: https://t.co/8iVR80xYim #AttendanceCounts pic.twitter.com/Pg2s9Boe3W
— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) February 29, 2024

As of today (19 August 2024), parent fines for unauthorised absences will be brought under a national framework to “help tackle inconsistencies in their use”, according to the Government.

Under the new plans, a fine to parents must be considered if a child misses five days of school for unauthorised absence, and alongside this, costs for fines will go up from £60 to £80 if paid within 21 days, and from £120 to £160 if paid in 28 days.

The former Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said this rise in fines will ensure all parents are aware of when they might face a fine, and ensure all local Councils are issuing fines “appropriately”.

Plans for the increasing of school absence fines were met with mixed reviews when first announced back in February, with a handful of critics pointing out potential issues with the measure – notably Paul Whiteman, who is the General Secretary of school leaders’ union, NAHT.

Fines for taking kids out of school during term time go up from today / Credit: gov.uk

When the plans were first announced, Mr Whiteman said that introducing a consistent national framework for fines “makes sense”, as there is currently a “significant variation” between how and when local authorities issue fines to parents.

But he did, however, state that he believes many parents will likely not respond well to the new measure.

Mr Whiteman said: “Parents will likely be surprised that, at a time when schools are struggling to find enough teachers to teach classes, when buildings are crumbling, and when we are in the middle of a crisis in special needs provision, that the Government is choosing to focus on increasing fines for parents.

“Good attendance is obviously critically important, but fines have long proven to be too blunt a tool and largely ineffective at improving persistent absence.”

Featured Image – gov.uk