Millions of parents in the United Kingdom are opting to take their children out of school during term time to secure more affordable holidays, according to a recent survey. The Parentkind National Parent Survey 2026 found that over two million parents admitted to this practice, equating to one in five parents with children aged four to 18.
This trend highlights a growing dilemma for families caught between adhering to school attendance policies and the financial pressures of holiday costs. The survey, which included 6,053 parents, revealed that half of respondents favored a shorter summer break. Additionally, 28 percent of those who took their children out of school during term time did not disclose the true reason for the absence to the school.
Government guidance states that holidays are generally not considered an exceptional circumstance for absence, and parents can face fines or legal action for taking children out of school without valid reason. Local councils can issue a penalty of £80 per child, which doubles to £160 if not paid within 21 days. In the 2024-25 academic year, nearly half a million fines, totaling 459,288, were issued, marking a 4 percent increase from the previous year and amounting to £36 million in fines.
The practice spans various income brackets, with 23 percent of parents from households earning over £100,000 admitting to taking children out of school for holidays. Furthermore, 25 percent of parents with children who have disabilities or special educational needs reported doing the same. Conversely, three million parents were unable to afford a holiday in the past year. For households earning £20,000 or less annually, half of parents reported being unable to cover holiday costs, while 43 percent of those earning between £20,000 and £35,000 faced similar financial constraints.
The financial strain extends to the school holidays themselves, with 51 percent of parents finding them difficult financially and 42 percent describing them as stressful. Childcare during these periods is also a challenge, leading 22 percent of working parents to take unpaid leave. The average cost of holiday clubs and activities is approximately £29 per day.
One parent, Lucy from East Sussex, explained that she and her husband took their three children to Lanzarote in January, saving £1,500 by traveling during term time. While she stated the trip wasn't planned solely for cost-saving, her family's farming schedule limits their holiday options outside of term time. "A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time," according to the government website.
Frank Young, chief executive of Parentkind, commented that parents are being put in a difficult position regarding family holidays, making it understandable why some might take children out of school and not disclose the reason. The Department for Education (DfE) noted that children missing lessons for holidays places a burden on teachers to help them catch up and can affect the entire class. The DfE maintains that fines are a crucial part of the system and supports children facing barriers to attending school.