My parents took me out of school for family holidays – we couldn't have afforded it otherwise

Some of my fondest childhood memories were made on holiday. My parents would bundle four kids into the back of the car, along with a trunk full of food, clothes and tea bags, and head to the ferry port at the crack of dawn. We’d drive through winding European roads, each taking turns to play our favourite music. When we were hungry, we’d pull up at the side of the road and make cheese and tomato on toast with a portable grill.

During those holidays, we’d brush up on our school-taught French, play with the local children and run away from slobbering farm dogs who’d chase us up rugged country lanes. We’d visit French markets, taste French food and swim in the sea – our little limbs slowly turning golden brown as the weeks passed. It was bliss.

There are two reasons why such trips were possible: first, our parents’ dedication to providing us with wonderful memories, even when we didn’t have much money, and second, the understanding of our school teachers who’d let them take us out of school during term time. They knew our parents had four children and that we’d miss out altogether if forced to wait until the summer holidays. They also knew that we’d only be missing a series of movies and games if we remained in school until the end of term. We were learning far more on holiday than we would have been in class at that stage of the year.

It’s not that rules weren’t in place then, but things were definitely more lenient and viewed on a case-by-case basis. The restrictions on parents are way harsher now and are about to tighten again.

As of August 2024, parents who pull their kids out of classes for more than five days for unauthorised reasons could be charged a minimum of £80 each if paid within 21 days. The figure goes up to £160 if paid within 28 days of the issue date. Parents who exceed two fines within three years may also face prosecution or more severe penalties.

According to the government, which announced the changes last week, the price increase is designed to deter truancy and improve attendance. It cites that 89 per cent of unauthorised absences are due to term-time holidays.

A 2016 report published by the Department of Education also highlighted a correlation between absences and lower grades at KS2 and KS4 stages (7-11 and 14-16 years old). A secondary report published by the Times Education Supplement, however, contradicted the government’s findings. The research instead showed that 78.7 per cent of pupils who took unauthorised term-time holidays were at the level they should be by the end of primary school.

Speaking of the changes, travel blogger and mother of two Sara Young, comments: “I think that it’s become so rigid at the moment that there’s pretty much no flexibility. When we’ve spoken to headteachers, they also would like it to be more flexible but have their hands tied by the rules. I don’t think that the fines are a deterrent as most of our friends take their kids out of school and pay the fine, as it’s still of better value than going on a full-price holiday during the school break. It’s just a way for the schools to make extra money.”

Sara, who describes herself as a “digital nomad”, currently spends at least four months of the year in Antigua, splitting her time between there and the UK. While she admits she could afford summer holiday prices, she is concerned about the inflexibility as her eldest son goes up to primary school next year.

“We think that travelling the world is a form of education,” she says. We also make sure that he attends local school where possible so that he can really get involved in the local culture.”

Lou Ali, head of digital PR at Honcho Search and mother of two, also notes how difficult it is for parents to navigate the restrictions. “We’re going on a holiday to Portugal with another couple, so there will be four adults and four children, each couple with a child in school,” she explains.

“Our decision [to take the kids out of school] was purely motivated by price. We started out with the best intentions looking for holidays over the summer break, but the cost was a joke. The same villa was £331 per night in May (£2,317 for a week), but went up to £552 per night in July and August (£3,864 for a week). That’s a difference of £1,547 per family. Then, the flights were an extra £50 per person, so each family saves nearly £2,000 by taking their children out of school.”

That said, Lou admits she’ll have to “bite the bullet” when her children go to secondary school. “I get how important it is for children not to miss school, and as mine get older, I probably won’t be doing this – our children are in primary school, so taking them out for a few days doesn’t feel so critical to their development and education.”

When it comes to the advantages travel has on children, counsellor Georgina Sturmer says: “The early years of our childhood are crucial from a developmental perspective. We might not have specific memories of family holidays and experiences, but they all form part of our subconscious and our understanding of who we are in relation to the people around us.

“Travel offers children a chance to see different cultures and landscapes, at an age when they are open and accepting of new experiences. When we take a break from our everyday routines, it helps us to feel grounded and gain perspective on our every day worries. This can be just as helpful for children as it can be for adults.”

Family therapist Sophie Cress also reiterates the positive impacts travel can have on children. She believes exposure to different cultures and languages helps create more tolerance in them and that new experiences help children become more resilient. “Through interacting with others from varied origins, kids can extend their viewpoints, cultivate tolerance and recognise the abundance of human diversity,” she says.

“Furthermore, travel offers chances for experiential learning that are not possible in a traditional classroom. Children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning can be piqued by visiting historical locations, museums and natural features; this makes education more interesting and relevant.”

She adds: “Travel frequently includes downtime and leisure activities that help kids decompress from the stresses of everyday life and school and return home with a fresh lease on life. All things considered, taking trips with kids has many advantages that go well beyond simple enjoyment; they enrich their lives and have a significant impact on their development.”

Had these hefty fines been in place when I was a child, we would have never gone away – even if we’d stayed in the UK. I absolutely adored school, but I also relished the time I spent with my family and the new cultures and experiences that travel opened up for us.

My parents prioritised saving for holidays that we’d all benefit from. I owe my curiosity, my thirst for knowledge and desire to take on new experiences to them. And while I get that some children may suffer as a result from less time in class, I can’t help but think I’d be a completely different person today had I not been able to go away.

There are undoubtedly some parents who will abuse the system and may not need to take their children out of school during term time. But, as of 2022, there are also 2.47 million children in the UK living in relative low-income households. There are already so many differences that set them apart from their wealthier counterparts, and by introducing such penalties, the government is further isolating and punishing these kids.

These circumstances need to be taken into consideration, or a cap on the price of travel during school holidays should be introduced to prevent parents from taking these measures. Not being able to go away won’t necessarily increase attendance and improve grades, but it will negatively impact certain children more than others.