Mum's rally in protest of school absence fines

Natalie Elliott joined parents in London to rally in Whitehall on Saturday

Parents gathered in London for a rally calling for an end to fines on those who take their children out of school during term-time.

The organiser of Saturday's rally, Natalie Elliott, is pushing for parents to be given "up to 10 days fine free" in her online petition signed by more than 180,000 people.

She said the current system had made parents "scared" to call schools when their child was off school legitimately with an illness and called for a clear appeals process.

Ms Elliott, from Ripley in Derbyshire, said: "Enough is enough. We're holding a rally again because change is no longer optional, it's urgent."

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: "Poor attendance damages children's prospects and term-time holidays place the burden on teachers to support missed learning - affecting the entire class.

"That's why fines have a vital place in our system, so everyone is held accountable for ensuring our children are in school."

Ms Elliott said the current absence process was "not consistent throughout the country"

Currently, parents whose children miss school without a good reason are initially given a fixed penalty notice of £80, which rises to £160 if not paid within 21 days.

The matter can be taken to magistrates' court if the increased fine is then not paid within 28 days - or a child is off school three or more times within three years.

The court can fine parents up to £2,500, issue a community order, a parenting order or, in the most extreme cases, hand out a prison sentence of up to three months.

Ms Elliott said parents were being threatened with fines, court action and even criminal records for "simply trying to do their best for their family".

"We've spoken to hundreds of families, many with children who have autism or medical conditions, who feel abandoned by a system that refuses to listen," said Ms Elliott.

'Often overlooked'

After it was debated in parliament on 27 October, Ms Elliott said her petition had received "widespread support" from MPs.

Linsey Farnsworth, Labour MP for Amber Valley, said: "Children with autism or ADHD often cannot cope with busy holiday periods, yet their families are fined for going away when it is quieter.

"Those children have a right to family life and legal protections, but too often are overlooked.

"Some schools mandate only four sick days per year, refuse to authorise any Friday absences and demand medical evidence for minor illnesses. That not only contradicts statutory guidance but adds pressure to an already overstretched NHS."

The DfE spokesperson said: "Through our Plan for Change, we're determined to give children growing up in our country the best start in life.

"But that can only happen if a strong foundation for learning is built through children regularly attending school.

"We have already made significant progress with five million more days in school in last academic year and 140,000 fewer pupils persistently absent."