Fines for school absences: the new rules explained

As families get ready to head back to school, and resume a ‘normal’ routine after the summer holidays, a hot topic is the new fines in place for unauthorised absence. As of August 2024, UK government has introduced a new set of fines for parents who take their children out of school without permission.

This move, aimed at curbing unauthorised absences, has sparked a debate among parents, educators, and policymakers alike. Here’s a breakdown of what the new fines are, the rationale behind them and how people on each side of the debate feel.

Breaking down the new fines

The Department for Education (DfE) has said a fine must be considered if a child misses five days of school for unauthorised absence. This cost was previously £60, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days. But now, the increase means school absence fines will start at £80 and go up to £160 after 3 weeks. And the fines are per parent.

As a parent, if you receive a second fine regarding the same child within any three-year period, you’ll be charged at the higher rate of £160. Fines per parent are capped at two within any three-year period. After this, other action like a parenting order or prosecution could be considered. And that can lead to a £2,500 fine.

Why is there a crackdown on school absences?

The original £60 fine was introduced in 2013, and it hasn’t increased in the 11 years until now. These changes come after almost 400,000 penalty notices were issued to parents in England in 2022-23 for unauthorised school absence. That’s much higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The DfE hopes the tougher rules will help schools spot and support children at risk of persistent absence, who could be at risk of becoming ‘missing from education’.

But almost nine in 10 (89.3%) of the fines from this 2022-23 period were for unauthorised holidays as families looked to book cheaper holidays outside school term times, according to DfE figures.

An unfair system?

Despite the rationale behind the new fines, there has been significant pushback from various quarters. Critics argue that the fines are too punitive and disproportionately affect low-income families, who may struggle to afford holidays outside of term time or pay the fines if imposed. There is concern that these fines could place additional financial strain on families already facing economic challenges.

And it’s not just flights that are more expensive during the school holidays. A midweek break in a two-bedroom lodge at Centre Parcs can cost £400-£500 in term time. That same lodge costs more than £1,100 in the school holidays.

Moreover, some parents and education advocates question whether fines are the most effective way to ensure school attendance. They argue that a more supportive approach, such as addressing underlying issues that cause absenteeism (e.g., mental health concerns, family difficulties), could be more beneficial in the long term.

There is also a broader debate about the role of parents in deciding what is best for their children. Some believe that parents should have the flexibility to take their children out of school for important family events or cultural experiences, without facing punitive measures.

One expert even described fine as a “blunt tool”. General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT 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.

“What is really needed to tackle poor attendance is more targeted resources to find out the reasons behind absence, including support for vulnerable families and for children and young people’s mental health. Without that work, higher fines could just be further punishing already struggling families and children.”

Could fines improve equality in education?

Those in favour of the fines argue that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the education system. Consistent attendance is vital for academic achievement, and the fines are a deterrent so that children do not miss out on crucial learning opportunities.

Additionally, many believe that the increased fines will help address the inequalities in the education system. When some parents take their children out of school during term time for holidays, it can create an unfair advantage, particularly for families who cannot afford to do so. By enforcing stricter penalties, the government aims to ensure that all children have equal access to education.

Schools and local authorities should try a supporting approach first, before resorting to a fine. If your child struggles with school attendance due to special education needs or disabilities (SEND), schools, local authorities and wider services are required to work together to provide the right support in the first place. 

The government does acknowledge that absences can come from unexpected circumstances. Children are allowed to miss school in the case of:

Illness

Day(s) of religious observance

Advanced permission granted by the school due to exceptional circumstances

The LA is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school, and it isn’t available that day/hasn’t been provided.

Gypsy or traveller families with no fixed abode and you are required to travel to work so your child cannot attend their usual school.

New year, a fresh start?

This is the first school year these increased fines have come into place, so only time will tell if they make a difference to absenteeism. And unless holidays become more affordable, many parents will still take the calculated risk of a term-time break if it works out less expensive.

Ultimately parents must weigh up the cost of the fines, versus what they’d save on holiday outside of school holidays. Is the experience of being abroad or having a family break comparable to what they’d be missing in school that week? Some would say yes.

Especially if the fines only really impact those who are worse off. Some families will be able to easily afford the cost of the fines, whereas for others, £80-£160 is a substantial chunk of their budget. Even if it works out more cost-effective to holiday during term time, these parents will feel the sting of the fine more sharply.

It’s worth noting that these changes were decided on during the previous Tory government. While Labour hasn’t stopped the increase in fine, we’re still early in their tenure in power. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson previously said her party would improve attendance by bringing in breakfast clubs for all primary pupils, as well as a register of all children not in school.

Back-to-school support at Howden

As an insurance broker, we’re here to help you get the right cover for the things that matter the most to you. But we also work hard to support our clients and community, however we can. And that includes during this back-to-school season!

We’ve got uniform, football boot, and rugby kit exchanges at branches across the country, where you can donate, swap, or simply collect the supplies you need. And this month, we’re also launching our Howden book exchange and giving away free books to celebrate!

Simply head to your local Howden Insurance branch, and ask about the free children’s books we’ve got available!

Sources: The Independent, Mumsnet, BBC, GOV.UK, Sky News