Starting from Monday, parents in England are facing higher fines if their children are taken out of school without permission. The Department of Education (DfE) announced plans to consider fines for unauthorised absence back in February. These fines have now increased from £60 to £80, and if left unpaid within 21 days, they will rise to £160 instead of £120.
In the year 2022-23, nearly 400,000 penalty notices were issued in England for unauthorised school absences, a much higher number compared to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, statistics from the DfE released in December showed that almost nine in 10 fines were for unauthorised holidays. This trend is attributed to families seeking cheaper vacation options outside of school term times.
Guidance for Schools and Authorities
According to the new guidance, schools and local authorities are advised to adopt a “support-first” approach to assist pupils and their families in overcoming attendance barriers. This may involve entering into a formal attendance contract or pursuing a family court order if necessary, escalating to a fine as a last resort.
Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), criticized the new fines by stating that fines have historically been ineffective at improving persistent absence rates. He also pointed out the pressing issues faced by schools, such as teacher shortages and inadequate resources, suggesting that focusing on increasing fines for parents might not be the most effective solution.
Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, acknowledged the need for a deterrent against term-time holidays but emphasized the negative impact such fines have on both the child’s education and teachers’ workload. He stressed the importance of finding a balance between enforcing attendance policies and addressing systemic issues within the education system.
While the aim of increasing fines for unauthorised school absences is to improve attendance rates and deter parents from taking their children out of school for holidays, the effectiveness of this approach remains questionable. It is important for policymakers to consider the broader challenges faced by schools and families, and to explore more holistic solutions that address the root causes of absenteeism.