FINES for parents who take their children out of school during term time are due to rise by £20 to £80 per parent and per child from September in England.
But while its very much a postcode lottery with some local authorities imposing penalties automatically, others issue none at all.
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In an attempt to create a more consistent approach, new guidelines will tell schools to consider applying a fine after a pupil has missed five days of class without the head teacher’s permission.
If guardians fail to pay within 21 days, it doubles.
However, for some families, the cost of the fine is more than made up by the savings of travelling in term time.
Helen Wright is among those who has consciously decided to holiday with her kids during the school period and, here, tells why she is not going to miss out on the joy of travel while her children are young.
And Lisa Minot has tips for those who want to head away in the school holidays.
HOLIDAYS often mean massive airport queues, inflated fares – and overcrowded destinations when we get there.
Is it just a sign of the times? Or is it because the Government insists we all fly off at the same time?
While it’s been raining here for three weeks straight, it has just been announced that fines in England for taking kids on holiday in school term time will increase from September.
This takes the penalty to £80 per child — or £160 if not paid within 21 days.
Apparently, missing five days of school is more detrimental to kids than concrete falling on their heads from faulty school buildings and 40,000 teachers fleeing the profession.
As parents, we’re already slapped with a financial penalty to escape to the sun, since everything from a week in Benidorm to an overnight stay at Peppa Pig World comes at a premium in half-term.
In some cases, prices are almost double.
Center Parcs is one of the worst offenders, with the price of a two-night stay rising from £779 on an average weekend to £1,349 at the start of the Easter holidays.
As a travel blogger, I’m passionate about the benefits of seeing the world.
These range from boosting mental health and improving work/life balance to exposure to different cultures.
While my children love school and learning, the benefits of taking a small amount of time to travel certainly outweigh the negatives.
Not everything can be taught in the classroom.
Fresh outlooks
Taking kids out of their comfort zone can encourage independence and boost confidence and social skills.
The realities of travel also require discipline and patience, skills many kids seem to lack these days.
In a life crammed with constant stimulation, attention and digital entertainment, learning how to handle a little boredom is a life lesson that will serve them well as they grow up.
Given the opportunity, of course I take my kids away during school holidays.
But the reality of finding an affordable deal is more dismal-land than Disneyland.
Unfortunately, with the rising cost of living, I don’t have the luxury of paying extra for holidays and, selfishly, I want to enjoy my children while they are young.
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To me, going from A to B is just as valuable as learning ABC, so why am I getting a slap on the wrist, or rather, the wallet?
For many, the fines are not a deterrent, since the cash saved on a family holiday is still significant.
Low-income households are hit the hardest.
Sarah, a primary school head teacher in Grimsby, says families in her county typically cannot afford to go on holiday outside of term time.
Her school has better-than-average attendance, but in the run-up to October half-term, one in three pupils was on holiday.
This shows how parents desperate for quality time together are fed-up of squeezing a family holiday into the measly week off granted in autumn.
However, Lauren, a secondary school deputy head, agrees with financial penalties.
“We are increasingly expected to deliver a busy curriculum on very tight timelines,” she said.
“Taking students out is detrimental when they miss key pieces of learning, and even with families’ best intentions of getting the work done, it rarely happens.”
Still, sometimes a change is as good as a rest. I certainly think returning to class with fresh outlooks, ideas and inspiration is a positive thing.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Us parents just want the best of both worlds for our kids. Give us a break.
- You can follow Helen on Instagram at @passportstampsuk.
A BREAK WITHOUT BREAKING THE LAW
By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
THERE’S no doubt prices soar as soon as the school gates shut – but is there anything you can do to mitigate this?
Soaring demand will always lead to higher prices but savvy families can cut costs with some research and perhaps a change in their holiday choices.
GO LATER FOR LESS: The first weeks of the school holidays are always the most popular period in the summer to head away and they can be the most expensive time to travel.
However, data from flight-comparison site Skyscanner has found that, on average, people can save 44 per cent by travelling in the last week instead of the first week of the holidays.
HEAD NORTH: For those in the north of England, check prices for departures to popular destinations from Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.
With Scottish schools breaking up earlier – and going back earlier – you might be able to reduce flight costs by choosing to travel from Scotland instead of a north of England airport.
Find out the term dates in neighbouring counties across the country.
If they vary by a week or two, it may garner savings travelling from another airport a little further from your usual.
CHECK SCHOOL HOLS DATES ABROAD: Many European countries – including France – don’t have a May half-term so accommodation may be cheaper and the areas less busy.
In the US, many resume class in early or mid-August – good for those travelling to Florida.
WHAT’S IN A DAY? Try not to rigidly adhere to weekend-to-weekend departures.
Data shows it is often cheaper to travel midweek to midweek.
Use tools on flight-booking platforms and comparison sites to see if travelling a day or two earlier or later than planned can save cash.
MIX UP THE DESTINATION: Heading to less popular airports abroad is also savvy.
Skyscanner’s travel trends expert Laura Lindsay says: “You may be looking at prices to a popular location like Naples in Italy but is there a better price when you consider somewhere less well known, like Bari in Puglia instead?”
USE FREE CHILD PLACE FINDERS: While you are still paying above the odds, it does pay to look at the early bargains big tour operators offer, including free child places.
There are “free child place finder” tools on websites from major firms including Jet2, TUI and First Choice.
DITCH ALL-INCLUSIVE HOTEL RESORTS FOR VALUE CAMPING PARKS: For families, having lots for the kids to do is essential but it doesn’t have to be at an expensive resort.
Look for deals to mobile homes in European holiday parks through the likes of Eurocamp, Siblu, Canvas Holidays and Huttopia.
Prices for mobile homes with plenty of space for the whole family will be very competitive compared to hotels.
But the sites still have oodles of pools, sporting activities, entertainment and kids clubs.
