A significant rise in the number of parents fined for taking their children out of school during term time has been recorded, with over 2,000 penalty notices issued in less than a year in Barnsley alone.
Since September 2024, Barnsley Council has imposed 2,300 penalty notices on parents for unauthorised school absences, a number that includes those fined in court. The surge follows the introduction of stricter government regulations at the start of the school year, which make it easier and faster for local authorities to take action when students miss school without legitimate reasons.
Under the new system, councils are required to issue fines for certain types of unauthorised absences, such as family holidays not approved by schools or cases where attendance remains low despite a formal warning. These policies, set nationally by the Department for Education, are enforced at the local level by each council.
In Barnsley, a majority of the fines—approximately 59%—were issued to parents of primary school students, with 40% of fines given to families of secondary school pupils.
The standard fine is £60 if paid within 21 days. If unpaid, the penalty increases to £120. Failure to pay can result in the case being taken to court, where parents may face a larger fine or additional penalties. Between September 2024 and March 2025, 1,800 fines were settled within the initial 21-day window, while 44 cases were referred to court.
The rise in fines is thought to reflect the return to more stringent attendance policies following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many students miss considerable periods of schooling. Barnsley Council has emphasized that revenue from these fines is used to cover the administrative costs of the enforcement system, while also pointing out the detrimental effect term-time holidays can have on a child’s education.
Councillor Trevor Cave, the cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, highlighted the importance of improving school attendance. He said: “We are committed to working with schools and parents to stress the significance of regular attendance. While we understand the financial pressures on families, research shows that taking holidays during term time creates learning gaps that are difficult to close, and it can be hard for children to catch up or adjust back into school after an absence.”
The fines for unauthorised school absences can rise significantly. Parents may be fined up to £1,000 per child for non-compliance. Repeat offenders could face fines up to £2,500 or even a three-month prison sentence in the most serious cases, as per the updated government guidelines.
A council statement further underscored the legal responsibility parents have to ensure their children receive full-time education. If attendance does not improve or parents fail to cooperate, the case may be referred to court again, potentially resulting in larger fines or even intervention from social services, which could lead to higher legal orders, including care proceedings.
