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Education authorities can take legal action for unauthorised absence, including seeking an attendance order. This is reviewed on a case by case basis. *
The total fines issued were:
0**
The total fines issued were:
The total fine for could be up to:
£*
Each parent could be fined up to £160 for each child they are responsible for, even if they aren't attending the trip.
The fine could reduce to £80 per child, if paid within 21 days.
The total fines issued were:
The total fine for could be up to:
£*
Each parent could be fined up to £120 for each child they are responsible for, even if they aren't attending the trip.
The fine could reduce to £60 per child, if paid within 21 days.
In a magistrate's court, the total fine for could be up to:
£*
Each parent could be fined up to £1000 for each child they are responsible for, even if they aren't attending the trip.
The total fines issued were:
0**
*Information on fines for unauthorised absences gathered from gov.uk, NIdirect.gov.uk, or direct from local education authorities.
**The number of fines issued per council collected through a Freedom of Information request to local education authorities, March 2025
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If your child misses school without permission, the school or local council can take action. Councils follow a national framework and can issue:
You might receive more than one of these penalties, depending on both local council decisions and individual school policies. In some cases, councils can also take legal action without issuing a fine first.
Fines are usually issued per child, per parent. This means if both parents are responsible for a one child's unauthorised absence, they could each receive a fine.
The exact process can vary depending on where you are:
If your child misses 5 full days without permission, the school may fine you. Since August 2024, a penalty notice is £80 if paid within 21 days, and £160 if not paid within 28 days. Any additional fine within 3 years is automatically £160. Each parent can only be fined twice in 3 years before local councils consider legal action.
The per child, per parent rule means each parent could face a separate fine of £80 for each child. This means that for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children), you could be fined £320 for taking your children on an unauthorised holiday during term time. If you fail to pay the fine within 21 days, this could double to £640.
Schools can approve up to 10 days off in some cases. But, unauthorised absences can still lead to fines. Currently, a penalty notice is £60 if paid within 21 days, increasing to £120 if not paid within 28 days. School policies can vary, so it's a good idea to check with your child's school for specific guidelines.
There's no set fine system. But, if a child has frequent unauthorised absences, local councils can issue attendance orders requiring parents to explain absences. Ignoring this could lead to court action. In serious cases, parents may face fines of up to £1000 or even a month in prison—though this is rare.
While there's no automatic fines, schools monitor attendance closely. If it drops below 85%, parents may be referred to the Education Welfare Service (EWS). If they don't engage and attendance doesn't improve, fines of up to £1000 can apply. The focus is on support first, but persistent absences can lead to penalties.
Not sure if you need a visa for your trip? Check the entry requirements for your destination to see what you’ll need before you travel.
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Unsure if you've overpacked? Check how much baggage your airline allows you to bring onboard our easy-to-use calculator.
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Find out how much tourist tax you might need to pay with our handy tool. With more and more countries charging holidaymakers, it pays to be prepared.
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Off somewhere exotic? Check which vaccinations you need before you travel with our handy tool. Check up to 4 destinations at once.
Want to know how much you should budget for your holiday? Use our holiday budget calculator to work out the estimated cost of your holiday and plan your trip.
It's no secret holidays during school breaks can be expensive. But, it's still possible to find great deals without pulling the kids out of school.
Here's some tips:
With a little planning, you can enjoy a fantastic holiday during school breaks—without the hefty price tag!
Make sure you include the cost of travel insurance into your holiday budget. Family travel insurance can conveniently cover the whole family under the same policy.
Here's a look at popular holiday destinations and average insurance prices to help you plan:
| Destination | Average insurance policy cost |
|---|---|
Spain |
£30.64 |
Turkey |
£37.07 |
France |
£23.19 |
Greece |
£34.69 |
United States |
£108.97 |
"Family holidays can be valuable bonding experiences, but for many families, the 'holiday tax' of higher prices during school breaks remains a financial blocker. The good news? There are ways to get a better deal on holidays without facing fines for unauthorised absences. Avoiding peak travel periods, opting for package holidays and being savvy about when and where you book can help keep costs down."
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