ASCL comment on rise in number of fines issued for term-time holidays

Responding to data showing that there has been a rise in the number of fines issued to parents for unauthorised family holidays, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The vast majority of penalty notices are issued in response to unauthorised family holidays. School leaders take no pleasure in parents being fined, but must have clear, consistent policies in place that emphasise the importance of attendance.

“There is a longstanding issue of exorbitant prices being charged by the travel industry during school holiday periods. We can understand why some parents want to take holidays at other times of year as this may be the only way it is affordable, even with the threat of a fine. However, we must do something to reverse the trend of a growing number of pupils missing out on a week or more of school. This is damaging to their education as well as disruptive for their class and teachers, who must then spend time helping them catch up on work they have missed.

“There is no simple resolution to this issue, but we do think it is time for the government to explore ways in which they could restrain travel firms from raising their prices during school holidays. We cannot see how this problem can be solved another way.”