'I can see why people do it': Parents react to almost £1.3m in ‘unfair’ school absence fines

Between September 2024 and November 2025, councils across the North East have issued £1.27m in school fines to parents who had taken their kids out of school without permission. While the local authorities maintained fines are the last resort, North Tyneside parents who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme voiced their concerns around the costs of school holiday trips.

According to parenting organisation Parentkind, a survey of nearly 5,500 in 2024 found that 50% of parents oppose fines for children missing five or more days without good reason or school permission.

Tanya Hallison, 47, said: “It is unfair to parents because people can’t afford to go on holidays, so I can see why people do it. I would take them out if I could.

“I don’t think they should be allowed to fine.”

Kate Maddison-Jones, 34, said: “My husband works in the hospitality sector, he ends up working in the holidays so it’s really difficult. I work in a corporate setting so its difficult to find time to send with my family.

“I think fining families cannot be the only remedy with that issue. I think school can do a proactive approach.”

Kate continued: “I went to a private school but the onus was on my parents to make sure I caught up. We have got the technology I know teachers do that, why couldn’t they send that to parents.

“I know not every parent is as involved but that is a better way to mitigate.”

Kate’s also stated she has family living abroad, which adds complications. Kate said: “My grandparents are in their 90’s, how many years have they got left to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren?”.

Lorraine Baker, 53, said: “The time you can take them on holiday, it’s the most expensive so that’s why you have go to ring in or put in a holiday form. I have never had fine myself because it’s only a day or two.

“I would love to take my daughter away in July or August but the prices shoot up, we would normally try and go earlier on in the year.”

Lorraine continued: “Lots of people have got kids and trying to get time of work in the holidays is hard.”

Monkseaton parent, Stephen, 54, said: “I can understand why people do it but it’s got to be in moderation. Once in a while is fine but not if you’re doing it all the time.”

The breakdown of council fines between September 2024 and November 2025 is as follows:

Sunderland City Council did not disclose its totals, stating: “…the data for 2024-25 has not been published yet by DFE, it will be published once it has been ratified.”

A following statement from Sunderland City Council and Together for Children said: “Like other authorities, Sunderland is following standardised national regulations as ten unauthorised absences (five days) is the threshold for a penalty charge notice.”