A woman was fined £320 after taking her children out of school during term time to go on a holiday of a lifetime. Danielle Sands decided to take her children out of school to head off to Lapland, where they met Father Christmas, claiming that it was a form of education school could not provide. Upon their return from their holiday, Danielle and her partner, Michael, were faced with a £320 penalty from the Government, the mum claimed. Danielle branded the charge as "absolutely ridiculous" and argued that she took her family on an "education trip".
The mum-of-three revealed on TikTok: "On this occasion, I actually thought a day or two would actually be agreed as educational because I actually wrote a letter of everything we were going to be doing in Lapland and how educational this trip was going to be. "We weren't sitting on a beach or round the pool for seven days, we actually had activities we were doing every single day. It's something my children would never gain from sitting in a classroom.".
From August 2024, the Government announced that school absences across the country would cost £80, if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days, per parent. "I am just so gutted that they can't see this as an educational trip, it blows my mind," Danielle continued. The content creator, who boasts 56,000 followers, revealed that the fine had arrived through her postbox a week after they returned from Lapland. In total, it would have cost the family around £7,000 to go on a trip during the school summer holidays in August.
But, she claimed that it would be around £1,000 cheaper, if she were to take her children out of school when they returned in September. "We should be allowed to have at least one holiday with our children per year. Michael works so many long hours, he's up early in the morning and doesn't get to see his kids when they go to school," she stated. "Nine times out of ten he's home when the children are in bed. When's our family time allowed?".
However, responses to the mother's anger were mixed. One TikTok user commented: "So your kids' education is Government corruption." Another added: "It's not an exceptional circumstance - it's a holiday.". On the other hand, many users were quick to support Danielle and her decision. One user stated: "As a teacher, parents should be allowed to take kids out as long as their attendance is okay. It’s so educational and is really important.".
Another added: "Unpopular opinion: but making memories with your children and spending family time together for five days is A LOT more important than school. I’m happy to teach my child what they ‘miss’ for those five days.". A third user shared: "It annoys me that they are allowed to take our children on residential trips during term time but not us as parents.". Danielle agreed to pay the "stupid" fine and in the future to book a trip away during bank holiday weekends.
The Government states that if a parent receives a second fine within a three-year period, the penalty fee will be the higher rate of £160. It adds that the fines are in line with inflation and the August rise, was the first rise since 2012, reports The Mail. Parents can choose to take on court, however they could be fined up to £2,500 if it is found that their child was skipping school. On the Government website it states: "Fines are a last resort, and parents will be offered support to help improve their child’s attendance first. The vast majority of fines for unauthorised absence (89 per cent) are issued for term time holidays.".
