Stop term time holiday fines for parents

[Louisew700]

Hi everyone,

I’ve just had a petition published calling for up to 10 days authorised school leave per year without fines, to give families a bit more flexibility.

Like so many parents, I’ve felt the pressure around attendance rules – especially when it comes to things like family time, holidays outside peak prices, or special circumstances.

If this is something you’ve ever struggled with or feel strongly about, I’d really appreciate your support. Even just a signature or share could help get this seen.

Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/763857

Thank you so much 💛

Il happy sign. Iv just had a huge fine 😁 (worth it for 10 days in florida!)

Or just go in the holidays? I managed for my kids school years, we went on holidays we could afford like camping or a cottage not in a tourist hotspot

Absolutely not going to sign that.

There are 6 weeks in the summer to take your child away. When our DC were school aged, we went away in school holidays. Yes, I know it costs more BUT that is part and parcel of having a child.

Now our DC are adults I get completely fucked off with going on holiday in June or September only to find the beach overrun with DC who should be in school.

You already have 13 weeks of authorised leave.

No fines in Scotland and we all manage fine. Always feel sorry for the rest of the UK on this.

Can this also apply to school staff?

Sorry but absolutely not going to agree to this either. Kids get 13 weeks off a year. Make it work and live within your means.

I was about to ask the same. Surely you won't mind your child's teacher having a few weeks off.

This, exactly. A total of 15 weeks?!

Yes, they've probably got children, too. They should be allowed benefit from lower costs, surely?

Yea, this would be great for teachers, heads, dinner staff, school cooks. One to one TAs especially deserve a break. That’s a hard job.

Totally agree. The fines are very stupid. The issue with non attendance isn’t around pre-booked family holidays. I think any leave booked with 4 weeks notice should be acceptable (within reason).

I wonder how much supply costs.

We have longer summer holidays in Ireland (12 weeks in summer for secondary school) and still don’t fine parents who take their children out of school during term time.

Funnily enough our results aren’t negatively impacted by this either. 🤔

Ireland consistently ranks among the top performers globally for secondary education, particularly in reading and science. According to recent OECD PISA results, Irish 15-year-olds rank 2nd for reading literacy out of 37 OECD countries, 11th in maths, and 12th in science, placing them significantly above the OECD average.

No way am I signing this. Get your kids into school and ensure they access their full education. Can you imagine the havoc of different kids being out for a couple of weeks throughout the year, as if teachers don’t have enough to manage!
And on what planet would you get 15 weeks leave to manage childcare in the holidays and an additional 2 weeks leave to take them on holiday!
And what does it teach children? Oh never mind the social contract we have (which you, as a parent, agreed to when you decided to have kids) let’s just ignore that and if you don’t like something when you’re older just ignore that too.
You decided to have kids, you know all about school holidays.

I was fined as was my partner when he took our DD home to the Caribbean for his fathers funeral. The local authority sent us both an invoice each stating was no appeal process. I wouldn't have been able to go to work if he had gone alone and also this was for her to see family and say goodbye to her grandad. Also apparently if she has anymore unauthorised absence in the next 2 years our fines will be double. My DD wasnt and isnt behind in any subjects and being y2 i don't feel she missed anything crazy important. Was extremely frustrating we were not able to discuss the reasons behind her absence but forced to pay an invoice.

@Treacletreacle - sorry to hear this, usually funerals are allowed? Especially close family. That seems a bit harsh.
Where I teach students often return to the home country for funerals etc and it's always authorised.

@Treacletreacle that’s absolutely mad. Yr2 as well! Honestly! Worth signing for your experience alone!

That’s ridiculous. Why would you want to interrupt your kids’ education for the sake of a cheap week in Benidorm? They already get 13 weeks - or a quarter of the year off. Do they really need more?

There appears to be something dictatorial about school attendance in England. I don't live there and I have never heard anything like it. Fines? OMG that is really taking it a bit too far IMO.

As long as the parent informs the school and the reason is legitimate, then it has nothing to do with wilful non attendance due to neglect by parents. That is a different matter.

There is no such thing as fines in Ireland or Scotland and I don't see any issue emerging there. Can someone explain? Or is it that most parents actually enjoy being dictated to and fined if they don't obey? Massively weird IMO.

I'm in favour of a certain number of days max allowed without fines for genuine absence.

I'm in favour of a certain number of days max allowed without fines for genuine absence.

So you're fine with your child's teacher having time off to take their own child away during term time?

That is awful @Treacletreacleand it shouldn’t happen.

The problem is that previously, it was decided on a case by case basis by the head. You can just imagine that after someone was allowed ten days for a funeral, rightly so, that another parent would complain if they weren’t also allowed time for a holiday. That just seems to be the way things are now. People don’t seem to have any compassion or understanding that different people have different circumstances.

The reasons for school absence are compelx, especially post Covid (not all cases are those wanting a cheap week in the sun).

I don't see fines as the answer - we don't have them in Scotland. Maybe more carrot and less stick?

Nope. Children being in school - yes, even on the last day of term - is more important than cheap holidays abroad.

😂😂😂😂

You know the pushing for the fines is government policy, right? And you know why they are doing this, I assume?

How receptive do you think the government is going to be to this petition, no matter how many signatures you get?

@Treacletreacle I'm sorry. Most schools will authorise a day each side for travel and the day of the funeral.
I know it's hard when it's such a distance