South Yorkshire parents fined over £250k for school absences
Parents across South Yorkshire were fined over a quarter of a million pounds last year for taking their kids out of school.
Parents across South Yorkshire were fined over a quarter of a million pounds last year for taking their kids out of school.
That's according to new figures released today.
Councils can fine £60 per unauthorised absence under government rules - which doubles to £120 if it's not been paid in 21 days.
Sheffield mum Rachel Robinson was fined for taking her kids to her sister's wedding abroad during term time last year - she refused to pay and ended up in court.
The magistrate eventually ruled in her favour,
Rachael's angry at the amount people are being fined:
"It's absolutely shocking - that just shows you what they've made on it to be honest. I think it's just another way of making money out of people."
"If you've got two or three children, add that up, and then it's per parent - I think that is bad. If it was per family I don't think that'd be as bad, but when it's per parent I think it's ridiculous."
It comes after a high court ruled in favour of a parent back in May who refused to pay a £120 fine.
Many parents take their children out of school as holidays are a lot cheaper during term-time.
Rachael says it's unfair parents are fined:
"I just think you're being punished for not having the money to go in school holidays. If you can't afford the holiday, and then you take your children out because of the money situation then you're being fined anyway."
"I just think it's silly when one school says that one kid can have the time off, and then the other schools says you can't. I think there should be a definite line for when you can get fined, not 'one school says yes and one school says no'."
"That's why I decided to fight against it because there should be a strict line in place for every school in Sheffield - our fine ended up being £240 before we went to court. I think it's just silly."