As the Easter break in England draws to a close, students are preparing to head back to school. While many families have enjoyed vacations during this period, those who have traveled abroad may face a fine of £160 if flight delays result in their children missing school.
Legal experts at HCB Solicitors have cautioned families about the possibility of fines stemming from canceled or delayed flights, noting that airlines are unlikely to cover these costs. Analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data by the firm revealed that UK airports experienced an average delay of 17 minutes last May, along with nearly 1,901 flight cancellations.
Under current regulations, parents can be fined £80 per parent for unauthorized absences of their child from school, even in cases of travel disruptions beyond their control. Education Lawyer Samantha Hale at HCB Solicitors highlighted that fines are imposed on each parent for each child missing school, amounting to £160 for a single day of absence. Flight delays are not considered a valid excuse under these rules.
While Local Authorities have the authority to prosecute parents for non-attendance in Magistrates’ Court, such actions are typically reserved for persistent absences rather than isolated incidents.
Inquiries made by HCB Solicitors to several UK airlines regarding reimbursement for fines incurred due to travel delays revealed that airlines are not liable for loss of earnings or school days under EU regulations. This leaves passengers without recourse for compensation when flights are canceled, even if the circumstances are beyond their control.
Samantha emphasized the need for better support for parents stranded abroad due to flight cancellations, expressing concerns about the added financial burden imposed on families for situations outside their control.
Parents nationwide have been warned about potential fines of up to £2,500 for repeatedly taking their children out of school. An alarming 443,000 fines were issued in the past academic year for unapproved term-time holidays, marking a 53% increase since the start of the pandemic.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s proposal to increase fines for truancy has been announced, with penalties now ranging from £80 to £160 for initial and subsequent fines. Schools and local authorities possess the authority to enforce various orders and penalties, including parenting orders, education supervision orders, and school attendance orders. Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, each parent may receive a maximum of two fines within a three-year period, with the second fine set at £160 automatically.
Parents whose children repeatedly skip school without a valid reason may face escalating penalties, including fines of up to £2,500, community orders, parenting orders, or even a jail sentence of up to three months. Those struggling to ensure their child’s attendance may be subject to parenting orders or education supervision orders issued by the council to provide additional support.
This information underscores the importance of understanding the consequences of school absences and the potential financial and legal ramifications involved.