We call for the review and amendment of the August 2024 statutory guidance on Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance. Families should not be penalised for taking children out of school due to personal circumstance and the extortionate cost of holidays during official half term holidays. 

Stop the Unfair Penalty Notice Fines for Term-Time Absences!

From August 2024, new penalty notice fines have been imposed on parents who take their children out of school during term time. While the intention may be to improve school attendance, this policy unfairly penalises hardworking families and places an additional financial strain on those already struggling with the high costs of holidaying during peak periods.

Why This Policy is Problematic:

Financial Burden on Families
The cost of holidays during school breaks is often double or triple the price of term-time travel. For many families, taking a holiday during peak periods is simply unaffordable. These fines only add to the financial pressure, disproportionately affecting families on lower incomes.
Positive Impact of Family Holidays
Research from the Family Holiday Association highlights that family holidays significantly contribute to children’s cognitive development, social skills, and emotional well-being. They provide opportunities for quality family bonding, cultural enrichment, and life experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Ignoring Genuine Circumstances
The policy fails to account for individual circumstances, such as parents with inflexible work schedules or families coping with personal hardships. Penalising parents who make thoughtful decisions for their children’s well-being is counterproductive and unfair.

Parents Are Forced to Accommodate School Closures—Why Shouldn't Schools Offer Flexibility in Return?

Schools frequently close for a variety of reasons, including teacher strikes, training days, severe weather, heating breakdowns, or staffing shortages. In these situations, parents are left with no choice but to adjust their schedules, find & pay for childcare, and manage disruptions to their work and personal lives. Yet, when parents request flexibility—such as taking their children out of school for a family holiday—they are met with rigid penalties and fines. This double standard raises serious questions about fairness and mutual respect between schools and families.

What We’re Asking For:
We call on the government and Education authorities to reconsider and cancel the implementation of these new penalty notice fines. Instead, we advocate for a more compassionate approach to school attendance that:

Acknowledges and respects the challenges families face
Considers legitimate requests for term-time absences on a case-by-case basis
Focuses on encouraging educational engagement without resorting to punitive measures
 

How You Can Help:

Your voice matters! By signing this petition, you’re standing up for a fairer system that supports families and puts children’s well-being first. Blanket fines are not the solution—they add unnecessary stress and financial strain without addressing the real challenges families face.

Let’s stand together and send a clear message to the government: these are our children—not theirs. Families deserve the freedom to make decisions that are in their best interests. Don’t play a part in this unjust system—paying these fines only sustains the problem. Together, we can push for a balanced, compassionate approach that respects both education and family life. Every signature makes a difference. Sign this petition today and share it with others to help create a system that values compassion and common sense!