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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about term time fines

31 replies

romantasylife · 04/01/2026 18:51

DS is in year 1, attendance has been 100% since he started year R (we have been very lucky!). We have been offered the opportunity for an all expenses paid holiday by a family member (again lucky!) however they have booked it for term time!

I know mumsnet is not a fan of a term time holiday but I have a couple of queries. For reference have no intention of lying to school and will fill in the holiday form so no sneaking off!

I understand that the absence will go down as unauthorised and that we can be fined £80 per parent for the 5 days.

However this trip would be 2 weeks, therefore does this count as two strikes e.g not a first offence if we do 2 weeks in a row or is this still the £80 fine?

If DS is then ill in the next 3 years does that mean we will get fined again and therefore count as a final warning?

It's a minefield and whilst I get why it is important I do feel that in year 1 we are ok to go, for reference he is on track for where he needs to be and it would be the 2 weeks before the summer hols so winding down anyway!

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/01/2026 18:53

You don't get referred for a penalty charge for being ill.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 04/01/2026 19:04

Sorry, curious here... why can't you simply ask the school administration, or check their web-site?

Buscobel · 04/01/2026 19:04

You may feel that there’s little happening in the last two weeks of term, however there’s the preparation for the next academic year, meeting the new teacher, seeing the new classroom etc.

You aren’t fined for illness, but both parents are fined for unauthorised absence. If the holiday is a gift, perhaps the fine will be less of an issue for you.

Original poster
romantasylife · 04/01/2026 19:07

@Buscobel their transition day is the week before so not missing that. He will miss sports week and then the final week both of which are not transition based.

@Mumtobabyhavoc the website refers to the gov page which doesn't answer the question. I have asked the office but they just said it will be as per the website

OP posts:
Mumtobabyhavoc · 04/01/2026 19:11

@romantasylife How frustrating! Sorry I don't have the answer.

Sartre · 04/01/2026 19:14

If you have asked and they referred you to the government website, this means they strictly follow those guidelines and won’t allow you time off. Some schools are more relaxed with this than others and aren’t quick to fine you, sounds like yours will. I guess since it’s an all expenses paid trip, you have to decide whether the £1600 fine is worth it.

Original poster
romantasylife · 04/01/2026 19:16

Sartre · 04/01/2026 19:14

If you have asked and they referred you to the government website, this means they strictly follow those guidelines and won’t allow you time off. Some schools are more relaxed with this than others and aren’t quick to fine you, sounds like yours will. I guess since it’s an all expenses paid trip, you have to decide whether the £1600 fine is worth it.

I thought it was £160?

OP posts:
HollyIvie · 04/01/2026 19:22

Can you ring your local council education dept about the specific time off you require to get their exact guidance? Think It’s important to get all the correct facts for your area as I have heard such varying guidance/experiences in different locations. I also have a very vague recollection of a poster on here having three weeks off for their child and it going straight to court - however there may have also been sickness involved. Personally I wouldn’t take my children out for that long.

SoapyDrama · 04/01/2026 19:27

Please don't rely on anyone here knowing the procedures of your council, ring them up and ask or at the least Google.

We don't even know where you live so how can anyone say?

TwattyMcFuckFace · 04/01/2026 19:31

I'm curious as to why nearly all kids whose parents post on MN about wanting to take them on a term-time holiday, have 100% attendance.

Very rarely less.

Sequinsoneverythingplease · 04/01/2026 19:31

romantasylife · 04/01/2026 19:16

I thought it was £160?

Show quote history

It is. And you may not even get fined anyway. I took my children out for term time holidays throughout primary school years, it was fine. Didn’t do it secondary at all though. One term time holiday is not a big deal though MNetters will insist it will impact forever… 😱

Coconutter24 · 04/01/2026 19:37

TwattyMcFuckFace · 04/01/2026 19:31

I'm curious as to why nearly all kids whose parents post on MN about wanting to take them on a term-time holiday, have 100% attendance.

Very rarely less.

Probably because they’ve never been off school unauthorised hence why they turn to MN for advice

PurpleCyclamen · 04/01/2026 19:42

It would be such a shame to miss the last few days of term which is when all the fun stuff happens.
I would like to point out that they won’t be winding down for 2 whole weeks though: they will work until the last few days (I’m a primary school LSA).

Original poster
romantasylife · 04/01/2026 19:43

TwattyMcFuckFace · 04/01/2026 19:31

I'm curious as to why nearly all kids whose parents post on MN about wanting to take them on a term-time holiday, have 100% attendance.

Very rarely less.

I guess as we are only year 1 it's not as unbelievable to still be at 100%.

DS gets ill like clockwork when we break up for a half term though Grin

OP posts:
BettysRoasties · 04/01/2026 19:48

I’d your child is genuinely sick you won’t get fined.

However if your child ends up off school for a week and goes in talking about chips by the pool expect the fine to come.

Two fines in 3 years and then it escalates.

Original poster
romantasylife · 04/01/2026 19:49

PurpleCyclamen · 04/01/2026 19:42

It would be such a shame to miss the last few days of term which is when all the fun stuff happens.
I would like to point out that they won’t be winding down for 2 whole weeks though: they will work until the last few days (I’m a primary school LSA).

We've got it confirmed that it is sports week so no English/phonics and Maths for KS1 they will be doing sports and team building activities. Then the following week isn't a 'full week'

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 04/01/2026 19:54

If DS is then ill in the next 3 years does that mean we will get fined again

No. No one is fined for illness. If they are, the school is not following the statutory guidance that illness is to be marked as authorised absence and that the parent’s word is evidence enough (unless in exceptional cases where they might ask for dr evidence).

Rituelec · 04/01/2026 19:55

I took mine out in October. 6 days of school

No fine from Primary (never have been)

Secondary sent a letter saying no fine this time.

MakeMineAMilkyTea · 04/01/2026 20:02

I send this link to all our parents when they submit an absence request. I think it’s pretty straightforward.

https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/44860/Fixed-Penalty-Notice-information-for-parents-and-carers/pdf/FixedPenaltyNoticeInformationForParentsAndCarers.pdf?m=1718366864810

MumofCandR · 04/01/2026 20:17

We took our 2 out when they were in reception and year 2 for a family wedding. It was 2 weeks in early June. We were not fined and the headteacher gave us a lovely call and said he fully supported this, but due to rules had to send a 'stern letter' but to ignore it and hoped we had a lovely time. We did and that's a lovely lasting memory for us. We were not fined. It's absolutely not an issue for young children, they get far more out of being exposed to new cultures and places than they lose in formal learning. Enjoy the holiday and if you do get fined just make sure you don't do the same again within 3 years and you'll be fine. I can't believe the naysayers - kids that are bright with supportive parents will do well, missing some school at this age has no negative impact whatsoever. My two had several leaves of absence in primary, @another time we went to Lapland for a week. Both are exceeding expectations in secondary now in year 7 and 9. Enjoy your freedom when they're still very young they will get do much out of this.

Buscobel · 04/01/2026 20:21

In theory, they can fine you per parent for the first 10 sessions which is five days and subsequently, I think the fine increases.

Sequinsoneverythingplease · 04/01/2026 20:27

Buscobel · 04/01/2026 20:21

In theory, they can fine you per parent for the first 10 sessions which is five days and subsequently, I think the fine increases.

No it doesn’t. It’s per session of absence, so one or two consecutive weeks will count as one session. However if you’ve got a real stickler you could be fined if your child is only off for two or three non consecutive days - as these are repeat sessions of absence. Might as well make it count and just take two weeks!

Buscobel · 04/01/2026 20:38

£80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid afterwards.

Cat1504 · 04/01/2026 20:46

PurpleCyclamen · 04/01/2026 19:42

It would be such a shame to miss the last few days of term which is when all the fun stuff happens.
I would like to point out that they won’t be winding down for 2 whole weeks though: they will work until the last few days (I’m a primary school LSA).

Far more of a shame to miss out on an all expenses pain holiday

Cat1504 · 04/01/2026 20:48

Ever known anyone in my town fined….my Dd took her DDs age 6 and 9 at the time ….out of school for 7 weeks ( although Xmas feel in the middle of that)….head teacher just said…have a lovely time….no one mentioned fines …that’s was last xmas