Soaring numbers of Yorkshire parents handed fines for taking children out of school in term

Parents are fined for taking their children out of school

New figures show that in the space of four years the number of fines issues in the region has risen from 4,803 in 2011/12 to 25,233 in 2014/15.

Schools decided whether to issue fines which are administered by councils. The increase follows the Government changing guidelines to ask schools to only approve term-time absences in exceptional circumstances. Previously schools had given parents up to two weeks of discretionary days. The Department for Education figures show that there has also been a sharp increase in the number of prosecutions in Yorkshire and nationally over the last four years.

There was 611 prosecutions in the region in 2011/12 compared with 2,181 in 2014/15. Nationally figures show there 15,283 prosecutions last year compared with 6,361 in 2011/12

The statistics also reveal that nationally more than 150,000 fines were issued to mothers and fathers in 2014/15 for unauthorised absence – more than quadruple the numbers in 2010/11. The figures come the week after Isle of Wight Council confirmed it was to ask the Supreme Court for permission to appeal against a High Court judgment in favour of a father who overturned a fine for taking his daughter on holiday during term time.

A DfE spokesman said: “The rules are perfectly clear – children should not be taken out of school without good reason. That is why we have tightened the rules and are supporting schools and local authorities to use their powers to tackle unauthorised absence.

“The evidence shows that every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil’s chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their life chances – vindicating our strong stance on attendance.”

Mumsnet chief executive Justine Roberts said: “Missing lots of school has a negative impact on children’s learning, and is disruptive for teachers as well.

“However, new rules mean even very short trips with genuine educational value, or for really important family events, are being refused – or the parents fined.”