Leeds parents fined over £200,000 for unauthorised term-time absences
Leeds City Council issued 3,435 fines to parents over their children's unauthorised term-time absence in the 2014/15 school year.
Parents in Leeds have been issued over 3,000 fines for taking their children out of school during term time without authorisation.
3,435 fines were handed out to offending parents in the 2014/15 school year. The total value of those fines reached £206,100.
The value of fines has increased by 267% over a two year period. In the 2012/13 academic year, only 218 fines were dealt out - totalling around £13,000.
Despite the increase Leeds mum Claire Jenkins says the fines don't discourage parents enough to take holidays during the summer break: "It is something I consider, I'm not worried about the fine of £60 if it does work out in my favour."
"I'd only do it for a couple of days. If there was a difference in the price of flights that I would deffinitely consider that."
Claire adds that she doesn't understand why it is becoming a growing issue.
"When I was growing up my mum would take me out of school to go on holiday and it never effected my education so I don't know why all of a sudden it has become such a big thing for parents to get fined."
Parents who take children out of school are fined £60 per child, with that number increasing to £120 if it is paid between 22 and 28 days. If parents fail to make the payment, they are reported for prosecution.
Headteacher of Allerton Grange High School says he understands the difficult situation families are left, saying: "The reporting of the attendance issue seems to suggest there is conflict between the school and parents, when there clearly isn't. Schools and parents want the best for the children. I think the issue lies with the travel industry and the way in which they hike the prices during the summer holidays."
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council told Radio Aire the fines are there to deter parents from taking children out of school during term-time, unless it is for exceptional circumstances.