Parents in England are now facing higher fines if their children are taken out of school without permission, as new guidance has come into effect. The Department of Education (DfE) announced plans earlier this year to implement fines for unauthorised absences, particularly focusing on parents whose children miss five days of school. The fines for school absences have been increased, with repercussions for non-payment within a specific time frame.
The fines for unauthorised school absences in England have been raised from £60 to £80, with an additional increase to £160 if the fine remains unpaid within 21 days. Furthermore, if a parent is fined again within a three-year period, the fine remains at £160 from the beginning. It is important to note that a third penalty notice cannot be issued during this period, and alternative actions such as prosecution may be considered. This move comes after nearly 400,000 penalty notices were issued for unauthorised school absences in the country, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels.
Statistics from the Department of Education reveal that almost 90% of the fines issued for unauthorised school absences were related to unauthorised holidays taken by families looking to save money by planning trips outside of school term times. This trend has resulted in a considerable rise in penalty notices being issued and highlights the impact of parents taking their children out of school for non-educational purposes.
The guidance provided emphasizes a “support-first” strategy, where schools and local authorities are encouraged to assist pupils and their families in overcoming barriers to attendance. This may involve agreeing on a formal attendance contract or pursuing a family court order if necessary. Fines are seen as a last resort after all other measures have been exhausted.
Despite the rationale behind increasing fines for unauthorised school absences, there has been criticism from various educational organizations. The general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, Paul Whiteman, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent for persistent absence. He believes fines are a “blunt tool” that have been largely ineffective in improving attendance rates and may not address the root causes of absenteeism.
Importance of Good Attendance
While the focus on good attendance is crucial for academic success, it is essential to consider the broader context of the challenges facing the education system. The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Geoff Barton, acknowledges the necessity of having consequences for unauthorised absences, particularly term-time holidays. However, he also highlights the strain it puts on teachers to help students catch up on missed learning when they return to school.
The increased fines for unauthorised school absences in England signal a shift towards a more stringent enforcement of attendance policies. While the intention is to discourage parents from taking their children out of school without permission, there are concerns about the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent. It is crucial for schools and local authorities to adopt a supportive approach to address absenteeism and ensure that all students have equal access to education.
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