The Rules of Taking Children Out of School for Holidays

The rules around taking children out of school for holidays can be quite strict, leaving many parents facing the dilemma of balancing the affordability of a term time break with the risk of being fined. If you’re considering taking your children out of school for a family holiday, it’s important to understand the potential consequences. If you don’t fancy a fine, we have a way for you to make school holiday breaks a lot more affordable.

What Are the Rules on Taking Kids Out of School in Term Time?

There’s nothing stopping you from taking your children on holiday during term time, but you’re unlikely to get away with doing so without any repercussions. In the UK, children must attend school regularly and parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child’s attendance. If you want to take your child out of school for a holiday during term time, you’ll need to seek permission from the headteacher. However, schools are not obligated to approve holiday requests unless there are exceptional circumstances.  Unfortunately, going on a family holiday doesn’t usually fall under that category.

If you decide to take your child out of school without permission, you could be fined. In England, the penalty is £80 per parent, per child. This doubles to £160 if it’s not paid within 21 days. If you don’t pay the fine, you may be prosecuted and could face a larger fine. Each parent can only be fined up to two times for the same child in a three year period. If you get a second fine in three years, it’s automatically £160 and you don’t get to save any money if you pay it early. If you don’t pay the fine in 28 days you could be taken to court for keeping your child out of school.

Why Holidays During Term Time Are So Tempting

If you have ever compared the prices of holidays, you’ll know that going away is significantly cheaper outside of school holidays. For many families, the difference in price can be staggering, especially once multiple flights, accommodation and activities are all factored in. This makes going on holiday during term time more affordable and accessible for many families.

One way to get around this challenge is to invest in your own holiday lodge. Owning a lodge allows your family to enjoy time away without having to deal with peak prices. As you won’t be tied to expensive hotels or flights, you can take shorter breaks during weekends, half terms or even bank holidays, all without the pressure of taking your kids out of school.

With a holiday lodge, you’ll have a home away from home that’s always ready for a getaway. Plus, having the flexibility to go whenever you like means you can save your longer breaks for the school holidays and avoid any fines. It’s a long term, affordable holiday solution that gives you more freedom to enjoy family trips away.