Stricter Fines for Unauthorised School Absences in England

Parents in England are now facing higher fines if their children are taken out of school without permission, as new guidance from the Department of Education (DfE) has come into effect. The DfE announced plans in February to consider fines for unauthorised absence for parents whose children miss five days of school. This means that school absence fines have increased from £60 to £80, and will further rise to £160 if unpaid within 21 days, instead of £120.

The number of penalty notices issued in England for unauthorised school absences has significantly risen, with nearly 400,000 penalty notices being issued in 2022-23. This is much higher than pre-pandemic levels. The fines were predominantly for unauthorised holidays, as families looked to book cheaper vacations outside of school term times, as revealed by DfE figures released in December.

According to the new guidance, schools and local authorities are advised to take a “support-first” approach to help pupils and their families tackle barriers to attendance. This would involve agreeing on a “formal attendance contract” or pursuing a family court order if necessary. Only when all other routes fail should fines be considered as a last resort.

The decision to increase fines for unauthorised school absences has received criticism from various organizations in the education sector. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, expressed concerns about the government’s focus on fines amidst other pressing issues in the education system. He suggested that fines are a “blunt tool” and are largely ineffective at improving persistent absence.

While acknowledging the importance of good attendance, critics argue that fines may not be the most effective way to address the issue of unauthorised school absences. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, emphasized the impact of term-time holidays on children’s education and the additional burden it places on teachers to help students catch up with missed learning.

The stricter fines for unauthorised school absences in England have sparked debates within the education community. While good attendance is crucial for academic success, there are concerns about the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent. Moving forward, it will be important for schools and local authorities to strike a balance between enforcing attendance policies and providing support to families facing barriers to regular school attendance.