The majority of parents are not deterred by fines for unauthorised absences when it comes to taking their children out of school for a holiday, a survey has revealed. Half of parents disagree with the policy in England that fines can be imposed if a child misses five days of school without permission, as per a poll conducted by the Parentkind charity.
Nearly three in five parents surveyed, totaling around 57%, have either taken or would consider their child missing school for a day or more for a term-time holiday. Similarly, 57% of parents stated that the risk of receiving a fine for an unauthorised term-time holiday would not affect their decision to take their child out of school.
The survey, which involved nearly 5,500 parents from across the UK, was carried out by YouGov in April and May, just before higher fines for unauthorised pupil absences were introduced in England. The fines for school absence have now escalated from £60 to £80 this academic year in an effort by the Government to improve attendance post-pandemic.
Under the new regulations, a parent receiving a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically face a £160 penalty. The Department for Education (DfE) indicated that additional actions, such as parenting orders or prosecution, would be considered for parents who exceed two fines per child within a three-year period, with potential fines up to £2,500 for those prosecuted.
Amid the findings, it was noted that about 18% of parents mentioned facing more challenges in getting their child to school compared to pre-pandemic times. Additionally, 31% of parents stated they were more lenient towards their child’s attendance since the onset of Covid-19.
Concerns were also raised about excessive screen time, with around 14% of parents revealing that their child spends seven hours or more daily on electronic devices outside of school hours. Furthermore, some parents reported financial struggles related to school costs, with more than 34% mentioning difficulties in managing their finances, including expenses for uniforms and school trips.
Amelia Beeston, an administrator from London and a mother of two, shared her concerns about the escalating expenses associated with schooling, impacting quality family time. Jason Elsom, the chief executive of Parentkind, emphasised the challenges faced by parents in balancing financial pressures and screen time distractions, underlining the need for government action to address these issues.
The survey results have led to calls for the Government to address the high costs of family holidays, regulate smartphone usage among children, and incorporate strategies to alleviate financial burdens on families regarding school-related expenditures. Stakeholders such as Pepe Di’Iasio from the Association of School and College Leaders and Paul Whiteman from the school leaders’ union NAHT have echoed the need for holistic solutions to support families and schools in improving attendance and addressing underlying causes of absenteeism.