Warning to Coventry Parents Facing £160 Fines Under New Rules
Coventry parents are warned about hefty fines for taking kids out of school during term time
Coventry, UK, Fines, School Attendance, Parents
Coventry: Parents are getting a serious heads-up about the new fines for taking their kids out of school. The fines have jumped to £160, and it’s all part of a big push to keep kids in class.
With summer holidays coming up, many families are thinking about their travel plans for 2025. But the cost of vacations during school breaks can be pretty steep, so some parents are tempted to take their kids out of school anyway. This year, though, the penalties are tougher.
The fine used to be £80, but if you don’t pay it within three weeks, it doubles to £160. Before this, it was £60, which could go up to £120 if you didn’t pay on time. This change started in September and shows how fed up schools and officials are with kids missing class.
Coventry City Council is saying they’ll take a “support first” approach when it comes to absences. They want to help families before slapping them with fines. But if a family doesn’t engage with the support or takes their kids out of school for a holiday, they can still get fined.
It’s a hot topic, with many parents arguing that holiday prices during school breaks are just too high. Nick Drewe from Wethrift pointed out that with everything being so expensive, term-time holidays have been a lifesaver for families trying to save some cash.
But these new fines make it a lot tougher for families to plan those trips. Last-minute deals can be cheaper since travel companies want to fill their empty spots. So, if you’re planning a family getaway, it might be worth waiting until the last minute to snag a good deal.