Father hits out after fined for school holiday

The parents, who have not been named to protect the identity of their children, were ordered to pay more than £1500 for reportedly taking their kids out of school for a total of 13 days over three years.

The father said he and the mother of their children separated four years ago, and had been taking turns taking the children on holiday.

However, after missing school attendance between June 3 and June 5, 2024, for a trip to Lanzarote, the father said ‘it tipped it over the edge’.

“We had previously been given fines which we had paid promptly but then we both received an email saying we were being prosecuted by court action,” he said.

“Nothing happened for seven months then we were told in two weeks we had a court date.”

Both parents were charged with failing to ensure their child attended school regularly, with the mother ordered to pay £511 and the father £1,026.

“It’s also how you’re made to feel in the interview and the court, as if you’re failing your child as a parent,” he said.

“I am a brilliant dad and I will do anything for my kids.”

He added: “If I thought in the slightest that taking my kids out of school would be detrimental, I wouldn’t have done it.”

The father said his child “overachieves in every single subject” and is still doing so now.

“The whole system is set up for high earning families.”

He added: “You cannot take your kids on holiday unless you’re earning big bucks and I think holidays are good for children.”

The father said he thinks the ‘whole system is wrong and disgusting’.

A spokesperson for TEACH Trust said the government had made school attendance a priority in the area and the policy is clear on its website, as well as regularly reminded to parents.

They said: “The direct relationship between school attendance and attainment from Early Years to year six cannot be underestimated.”

It was said the policy is implemented consistently across all the trust’s schools and warnings are given as appropriate.

“The process for applying for leave of absence is explained fully in our attendance policy and guidance is provided on what could be considered ‘exceptional circumstances’, or not. 

“Holidays (especially multiple ones) are not deemed to be exceptional circumstances.”

They added that every day of non-school attendance has an impact on pupil’s learning through educational achievement and disruption on the student and those around them.

Cllr Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children, young people, education and skills, said: “Good academic progress at school is proven to have a strong link with maintaining a high attendance.

“Fines for school term-time absence are set by the Government as part of their national framework and are issued by the council on behalf of a school which requests it.

“Our team meets with each school on a termly basis and works closely with them to identify cases of persistent non-attendance.”