### Growing Dilemma for Welsh Parents Taking Children on Term-Time Holidays
The rising costs of booking family holidays during school breaks has placed many Welsh parents in a difficult position: break the rules for a cheaper getaway or risk missing out on a family trip altogether. With travel prices often soaring during traditional school holidays, some families opt for term-time holidays, gambling on a saving that could be offset by official penalties.
Recent research suggests that a significant proportion of parents—reportedly 62%—would consider defying the law in pursuit of more affordable holidays. Yet, this approach carries clear risks. Parents who withdraw their children from school outside the prescribed periods run the risk of fines, legal prosecution, and, in the most serious cases, even imprisonment. It’s not simply a matter of cost, but a question of potential disruption to a child’s education—something schools and local authorities treat with increasing seriousness.
The rules governing attendance, and the consequences when those rules are broken, depend not only on a family’s location within the UK but also on the policies set by individual schools or local authorities. Variations across Wales see some councils imposing strict fines and prosecutions, while others prioritise working with families over pursuing legal measures.
In Wales, there is no automatic entitlement for parents to remove their children from school for a holiday during term time. Headteachers retain the authority to permit up to 10 days of authorised absence each academic year. However, term-time holidays are generally not considered “exceptional circumstances”, which are the standard for a granted absence. Factors such as the family’s overall attendance record, the timing within the school year, and personal or cultural considerations may influence a headteacher’s decision.
Should parents proceed without the school’s approval, their child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised. This in turn could prompt fines—currently set at £60 per parent per child, rising to £120 if not paid within 28 days—or, in persistent cases, the prospect of legal action. While such penalties fall within guidelines, the decision to implement them generally rests with the local council rather than the school head.
The pressure on school leaders and authorities to improve attendance levels, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, has made headteachers increasingly cautious about allowing time off. Estyn, the Welsh education inspectorate, has publicly described low attendance as a “national concern”, further underlining the priority placed on pupil presence in schools.
Statistics reveal that attitudes toward penalties are far from uniform. Over 500 parents across Wales were fined last term for unauthorised absences, with more than 100 cases leading to prosecutions. Conversely, certain areas, such as Anglesey, have refrained from issuing fines, instead focusing on building collaborative relationships with families to encourage attendance.
Debate continues over the effectiveness and fairness of fines. Some education welfare officers report that while some families continue to weigh fines against holiday costs, repeated enforcement can influence parental behaviour, particularly in certain year groups or communities. Others point out the importance of demonstrating to families the potential academic consequences for children missing valuable classroom time.
School absence policies can be influenced by a variety of factors, and, as highlighted by education professionals, not all holiday requests are treated equally. In some instances, unique family circumstances—such as overseas visits to a home country—may see leniency applied. Still, the official line is clear: holidays seldom qualify as a legitimate reason for an authorised absence.
Ultimately, the landscape across Wales is one of inconsistency and evolving enforcement. Parents seeking term-time holidays face not only the tangible risk of financial penalty but the broader challenge of balancing family needs with the imperative of uninterrupted education. As schools and authorities continue to wrestle with attendance and fairness, families are advised to consider both the rules and the wider impact on their children’s schooling before booking a cheaper getaway outside of established school break periods.