12-05-2025
Bolton parents slapped with nearly £400K in fines for term time holidays
Bolton parents were hit with more than 6,000 fines – totalling £377,520 – for taking their children out of school for a holiday.
Department for Education figures revealed that families received almost 1,600 more penalty notices for term-time holidays in the 2023-24 school year than the year before – totalling an extra £95,280.
This was before the Government increased fines for term-time holiday last August from £60 to £80 if paid within 21 days - and from £120 to £180 if paid within 28 days.
For parents like Kate Greenhalgh, 43, of Lostock, this is much cheaper than the 'jump' in the cost of travel during breaks.
Kate has never taken her nine-year-old daughter out of school for a holiday, but said friends have considered trips that cut into end of term time.
She said: 'Many friends and parents on the playground say they'll be missing a couple of days [for a holiday] at the end of term to get a better deal. It's a widely discussed subject.
'Holidays are definitely more expensive on breaks. You only need to look at any travel website to see the price jump when they start.
'An £80 fine is still much cheaper than [booking one at that time].
'We haven't taken our daughter out of school, but would also consider missing the last few days of term when things generally start winding down.
'We wouldn't do it in the middle of term and disrupt her learning unless there was no way around it. For instance, for a family occasion like a wedding.'
According to a Bolton travel agent, price hikes outside term time are by design.
He said: 'Holidays are the most expensive outside school time because that's when everyone wants to go. Operators put the prices up depending on demand. They know where [and when's] popular.
'It's the way they make their money. This year has been especially expensive, we've found, compared to last year and 2026.
'It can be a few hundred pounds cheaper just to go during term time and pay the fine.'
Robert Poole, a teacher and assistant district secretary of the NEU, said the fines are proof of a 'growing divide between families and schools' and don't work.
He said: 'Education is one of the most important things in society but the [hike in fines in the last school year] shows a growing disconnect between families, children and schools.
'The moves to a so-called knowledge rich curriculum, more strict behaviour codes and a rigid exam factory system in recent years is leading to a generation who are alienated from education.
'The number of fines is going up, which shows that they don't work. They create a divide between families and schools which are held responsible for the charges despite receiving none of the revenue they generate.
'Price gouging by holiday companies means that parents are calculating that the fines are cheaper than a trip abroad during school holidays.
'What is needed is government regulation of these industries.'
When asked if the fines work, Kate said: 'They're a good deterrent for people who regularly take their kids out of school.
'But [the Government] raising them to £80 probably won't make any difference to the number [of parents taking their children out of school] unless holiday companies change their pricing policies.'
A spokesperson for The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: "Supply vs. demand has always been an age-old debate, and whilst some of the most popular destinations will inevitably see a rise in price over the school holiday period, there will always be plenty of great deals to be found. For anyone looking to find the best value holidays for 2025, we recommend booking well in advance to take advantage of the early booking discounts and free child places on offer as well as increased availability of flights and accommodation.
'Booking early also offers the added benefits of being able to budget appropriately in advance and stagger payments. If travellers are able to be flexible on the dates, location and the airport they travel from then they will have a higher chance of finding a better deal. For those looking to manage costs, all-inclusive is increasingly the most popular board basis across our travel agent partners as it allows travellers to manage their budgets and pay for the full cost of a holiday upfront. Cruises offer another good option for those looking to budget in advance.
'Across our travel agent partners we are seeing increased bookings for families outside of the traditional summer holiday period. With Easter falling later this year, many families took this opportunity for a holiday. Similarly, we are seeing increased demand for the October half term as travellers can take advantage of the cooler weather and less crowded destinations.
'When it comes to booking holidays, we always advise booking with a travel agent. They have an incredible amount of knowledge and access to a vast number of holidays and deals that won't be found elsewhere. They are best placed to help travellers research the ideal destination to visit for their budget."
