A MOTHER has claimed to have saved £15,000 by taking her children on holidays during term time.
Not only this, but she also insisted she’s not going to stop as it’s not “affecting their education”.
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Rachel Smith, 35, takes her two children – Brayden, 13, and Elianna, 11 – out of school every year during term time to go on holiday abroad.
This year the single mum has saved £2,000 by booking a holiday to Majorca in June – instead of during school holidays.
While she regularly receives £80-per-child fines, she said she’s not “going to stop” and is still “better off” than going when prices have doubled.
New data has revealed parents across England and Wales have paid more than £41million in fines between 2022 and 2024.
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Rachel, who works in finance, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, explained: “There is no way I’m paying the prices in the school holidays.
“I think it’s a joke – they find a way to penalise the working class.
“The more fortunate are in a position to go in the school holidays – not all of us can do that. I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
“I’m not going to stop doing it. Why should my children miss out?
“I’ve saved £15,000 at least.”
Rachel has been taking her kids out of school during term time since May 2018 – and they have since been to Ibiza, Magaluf, Majorca, Turkey.
She often removes them from school in May or June – after they have sat any exams.
Rachel forks out the £60 fine – totalling £120 – but this year, this has now risen to £80 per child, costing her £160 in total, but Rachel still feels it is worth it.
Rachel continued: “I’m still massively better off. I do it at the end of the school year – after exams. I don’t feel I’m affecting their education.
“I’m not doing anything that is detrimental for them.
“After exams they are winding down. I don’t feel I’m doing anything malicious.
“They do what is needed and then we jet off. It’s a big well done.”
This year Rachel is taking her kids and her partner to Majorca in June for a week for an all-inclusive price of £1,900.
She beamed: “It’s a fantastic price. Looking in the school holiday time and it wasn’t coming under £4,000.
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
“It’s outrageous. That would pay for two holidays.”
Rachel isn’t surprised at how many fines have been handed out for other parents doing the same.
She shared: “The amount of fines just shows how people are feeling.
“The fines are going to be huge. I’m not shocked by the amount.
There is no way I’m paying the prices in the school holidays
Rachel Smith
“So many people are not willing to pay double the price.”
As well as this, Rachel said she will continue taking her kids on holiday during term, as she questioned: “Why should I not have this opportunity with my kids while I can?
“We go on one holiday after they have done exams.
“If I was a serial offender – come down on me.”
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