I’ll get fined £5k & go to court for taking my two kids out of school for holidays – I do it all the time so I can work
A MUM-OF-TWO has told of her anger after learning that she could be charged up to £5k and have to go to court if she takes her kids out of school during term time.
Megan Beasley, who works in the travel industry, explained how she’s always fined for taking her kids out of school but does so to help put a roof over their heads and pay the bills.
In a clip shared to TikTok (@megan_beasley1), she admits that it’s not a topic she’s ever felt the need to discuss, but says this changed yesterday when she dropped her kids off at school and asked for a holiday form for an upcoming trip.
“The school office lady, she’s absolutely lovely and she gave me the holiday form,” Megan explains.
“She says, ‘yes, I’ll give you holiday form but I just need to make you aware that from September, the way we fine you is going to change.'”
The baffled mum goes on to say that she’s heard a lot of “speculation” about the school fines but it’s the first time she’s been handed an official print out stating what exactly is changing.
Reading it aloud in the car, she explains: “So for your first offence, a penalty notice fine could be issued for term time, leave or irregular absence and would be £160 per child, paid within 28 days.”
Megan, who says she can’t go away in school holidays because she works with travel companies and doesn’t often get the option to, points out: “And by the way, they charge you each adult as well.
“So not only is it per child, they fine you for both mum and dad, so that’s £160 times four if we was to go for a week out of school.”
She then moves onto the second offence and says you can be fined within 3 years, up to £160 per child, paid within 28 days.
“I find this very bizarre,” Megan admits.
“If you’re going to fine me, you may as well just fine me – don’t leave it until Noah’s left school and three years later I’m getting a fine through the door because you’ve decided you’re a bit short on funding that week.
“Do you know what I mean?”
Next up, she says that this is “where it gets interesting,” before noting that for your third offence, or any times that you take them out after the third offence, you’ll not be getting a penalty notice.
“Instead, the case may be presented directly to a magistrate’s court and the magistrate’s fine can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child,” she says.
“Cases found guilty in Magistrate’s Court can show the parents’ future disclosure and bearing service certificate if one is applied for, categorised as failure to safeguard child’s education.”
She continues: “I’m sorry, what? £5,000 fine to take my children out of school…and the key word there being my children…Mine.
I’m sorry, what? £5,000 fine to take my children out of school. And the key word there being my children…Mine. The world has gone absolutely mad
Megan Beasley
“The world has gone absolutely mad.”
Megan goes on to say that the thing that really annoys her is that every time she takes her children out of school she’s totally honest, does the holiday form, explains the reasons and pays the fine.
“I pay the fine to be able to do my job because we’ve got to remember, this is actually my job,” she explains.
“This is my career. This is how I get paid. This is how I pay my bills, and most importantly, this is how I pay my tax bill every single year.
“So, as the government, you want me to go to work, earn money, pay my tax bill every single year, but you’re going to fine me for the privilege?
“Like, make it make sense.”
She goes on to point out that if she was to remove her children from education completely and homeschooled them, then she wouldn’t have to pay the fines.
“I wouldn’t be prosecuted, I wouldn’t be sent to court and told that I’m neglecting my children for letting them explore the world,” she continues.
“I just honestly can’t wrap my head around it…it really, really is starting to grind on me.”
Megan concludes how the form specifies, ‘if your child misses school without good reason.’
She proceeds to ask: “What is a good enough reason to miss school that you’re not going to get fined for it?
“Because to me, paying my bills and keeping a roof over the head is more important than sending them to school every single day of the year.”
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