Parents facing steeper fines for taking their kids out of school without permission

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The number of pupils in England skipping school without permission at the start of the academic year is lower compared to last year, according to new figures.

Data from the Department for Education (DfE) indicates that the unauthorised absence rate across all schools in England was 2.0% in the week ending September 13, a slight drop from 2.1% in the same week in 2023.

This comes as parents in England face steeper fines if they take their children out of class without permission this academic year, as part of a Government initiative to improve attendance following the Covid-19 pandemic. READ MORE: Majorca warns of ‘brave’ measures against mass tourism in 2025 School absence fines have risen from £60 to £80 under the new rules, and a parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine.

The DfE has stated that other measures, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could face a fine of up to £2,500.