Parents who take their children out of school to go on holiday face fines — but how widely are they enforced in North Yorkshire? 

The Stray Ferret decided to investigate.

For a first unauthorised absence, the fine is £80 per parent per child – so a two-parent household with two children would be fined £320.

The sum rises to £160 per parent if it happens again within a three-year period.

If it occurs a third time, the case can be escalated to a magistrates court, where prosecution can lead to fines of up to £2,500.

These fines, called penalty notices, apply to all unauthorised absences, not just for holidays, at schools in England. Other ‘unacceptable reasons’ include a child’s birthday, or being too tired after a late night.

National guidelines say schools must issue a fine if a child misses five or more days, but schools and local authorities have the discretion to issue penalty notices for shorter unauthorised absences. 

North Yorkshire fines last year

We sent a freedom of information request to North Yorkshire Council to find out how many penalty notices it issues.

It disclosed that a total of 3,215 fines were issued in the last academic year (September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026).

Of these fines, 2,641 were paid, coming to a total of £249,120.

The majority of fines — 2,168 — were £80 for first offences, totalling £173,440. A total of 473 penalty notices were issued for second offences, totalling £75,680.

Failing to pay can result in prosecution, with a much higher fine imposed in court by magistrates. Fines may also be appealed and overturned.