A WOMAN has revealed that she is taking her children out of school for a holiday, but thinks it’s crazy that she’ll get a fine.
A mother named Hollie said that she can’t afford to go away during the school holidays, and wants a chance to get a sunbed by the pool without it being too busy.
As a result, the savvy mum explained that she will be taking her kids out of school during term time.
Posting on social media, Hollie shared her short clip with the caption ‘If you can afford to go in the school holidays that’s great but most can’t!
‘I also want the chance of getting a sunbed by the pool.
‘I think it’s crazy we get fined for doing something so positive for our kids in such a negative world!’
She then explained: “I’ve just written my request for taking my son away on holiday, obviously out of the school holidays, and I thought, ‘what am I gonna write on there that’s a good enough excuse to take him out of school?’”
Hollie explained that she then decided to be honest on her child’s holiday request form, as she wrote: “After a particularly hard year due to money problems, we have decided to go on a family holiday at the only time that we can actually afford to go.
I think it’s crazy we get fined for doing something so positive for our kids
Hollie
“Unfortunately, due to the continuously rising holiday cost within the school holidays, it is no longer an option for us, and we are not going to deprive our kids of the one holiday a year they get with us, being one of the only times we get to relax and put all our time and effort completely into them. I hope you can understand this reason.”
Hollie then added: “It would have just been easier to probably write ‘someone’s wedding’, but I’m still gonna get a fine either way, so f**k it.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @holliefromthe80s, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up a whopping 570,100 views.
PARENTS REACT
Parents rushed to the comments to share their thoughts – as many confessed their anger at having to ask for permission to take kids out of school during term time.
One person said: “I find this crazy. Can’t go on holiday, monitored what they eat, can’t go to the toilet…it’s like a mini prison!”
Another added: “The fact you have to ask permission to take your own child on holiday is absolutely ridiculous.”
It angers me so much that we even have to apply to take OUR kids out of school
TikTok user
A third commented: “Go and enjoy with your kids. They are only young for a short time.”
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: “It angers me so much that we even have to apply to take OUR kids out of school.”
What school fines can parents receive?
THE main issue that can lead to parents receiving a fine is missing school.
Currently, it’s the decision of the local council whether or not to issue a parent a fine for their child missing school.
However, from August this year, the fine for absences will up to the school to consider – when a child has missed 10 or more sessions for unauthorised reasons.
And the fine will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days – this is issued to EACH parent.
It’s the first time the fine has been increased since 2012, and is in line with inflation.
If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within three years, this will automatically be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines will be capped at two fines within a three-year period.
After this limit has been reached, prosecution or a parenting order may be considered.
According to the official government website, there are only five reasons your child should be absent from school if the school is open.
These are as follows:
- Your child is too ill to attend that day
- You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances
- Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance
- Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet
- You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school
Not only this, but a teacher even penned: “Teacher here – never blame any parents who take their kids away term time because of prices – wish I could myself, it’s ridiculous!”
However, at the same time, another TikTok user expressed: “I agree with this for younger kids but from my own experience when I was at high school, missing a week of lessons proved really difficult for me to catch up especially if I had exams coming up.”
To this, Hollie replied and confirmed: “We have only ever taken our children out of school in primary school.
“My daughter is in year 11 and I have never taken her out of school.”
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