Natalie Elliott, a 37-year-old mother of four from Ripley in Derbyshire, is busting through with her petition. She is urging the government to scrap fines levied on parents for removing children from school during term time. Her campaign has gathered more than 180,000 signatures, forcing a parliamentary debate on the current rules banning children from taking time off school during term-time.
Elliott argues for a lighter touch policy. He suggests that parents should be allowed to remove their kids from school for up to ten days without repercussions. She makes the case that as an absent process we vary tremendously across the country. This inconsistency has created unnecessary fear in our parents. Many others are discouraged from reaching out to schools even when their kids are sick for fear of retaliation.
Parents of children who cannot attend school for legitimate reasons would no longer face a fixed penalty notice of £80. If they fail to pay it within 21 days, the fine can double to £160. Failing to pay the fine within 28 days leads to an increased financial burden and enforcement action. If a child misses three or more sessions in three consecutive months, the case can be taken to magistrates’ court. The court has powers to impose unlimited fines, or a maximum of £2,500 on summary conviction. In the most egregious circumstances, it can make community orders, parenting orders, or even impose a prison sentence of up to three months.
Elliott emphasized the need for a clear appeals process, stating, “I think there needs to be a clear appeals process. As it stands, families are not allowed to appeal a fixed penalty notice.” She went on to attack the existing legislation as being overly punitive against parents who do nothing wrong and make appropriate decisions about their kids’ education.
“So, the legislation as it stands means that loads of parents are being criminalised for taking their child out of school.” – Natalie Elliott
The government was adamant in their defense of the existing fines. They argue that these penalties are important for forcing regular attendance and for making parents responsible. A spokesperson commented, “Poor attendance damages children’s prospects and term time holidays place the burden on teachers to support missed learning – affecting the entire class.”
Elliott’s petition illuminates a wave of frustrated parents who for too long have been met with inflexibility from policymakers. Linsey Farnsworth, an education expert, noted that “there’s a lot more complexity to this and a lot more issues,” suggesting that a broader discussion is necessary to address parental concerns without compromising educational integrity.
