It’s been suggested some parents have been “weighing up the cost” of a fine versus a cheap term-time holiday
On-the-spot fines for parents taking their children out of school for term-time holidays have risen in one part of Wales
On-the-spot fines for parents taking their children out of school for term-time holidays have risen in one part of Wales. Figures show the use of fixed penalty notices for Torfaen parents accused of taking their children out of school, or other unauthorised absences, have increased by 11% in a year.
During the 2024/25 financial year, which ended in March, Torfaen council had 261 requests from schools to issue such fines. They are normally handed out when someone admits responsibility and as a way of avoiding the costly process of a prosecution.
The figure represented an rise of 26 on 2023/24, which was the first year the council introduced the £120 fines. The amount reduces to £60 for parents who pay within 60 days.
Some fines were withdrawn by the council when further information came to light, such as the involvement of “other key services.” But of the 261 issued last year, only 11 were withdrawn.
A report for the council’s education scrutiny committee stated the “primary reason” for issuing a fixed penalty notice has been unauthorised holidays taken during term time.
Blaenavon independent councillor Janet Jones asked if parents were “weighing up the cost” of a fine versus a holiday which is likely to be cheaper in term time.
Education welfare officer Hannah Catherine Moore said the fines are intended as a deterrent but are “just one tool” in the “kit” used for addressing attendance issues.
She also said schools have to complete an attendance action plan.
“We really need to make sure, if parents are taking children out of school on a regular basis, we can show them the impact that is having,” she added.
“Obviously there are some parents who take the fine and continue to take the children out of school but what we are seeing is, within certain year groups and within certain families, doing that year on year it has been good on reducing that.”
Ms Moore reminded councillors that parents are entitled to request term-time leave for pupils but said it is for schools to decide on requests. Factors such as the time of year and overall attendance can be considered.
“Some schools might implement a policy that it won’t authorise any holidays. Other schools do give consideration to the nature of the request. It might be a pupil returning to their homeland. Every single situation is very different.
“But as a whole we are seeing the use of fixed penalty notices as something in getting that message out there.”
Ms Moore also said there are “punitive measures such as prosecution” that the council can consider such as when families take children out of school “twice a year, year on year on year.”
But she added that use of fixed penalties had reduced the need for that approach.
Fairwater Labour member Rose Seabourne asked if there have been “negative examples” of issuing fixed penalties such as when a child has been ill.
Ms Moore responded that in a school she had attended “a parent said their child was ill but when the child returned to school they said, ‘Actually I was on holiday.’”