A couple from Sandwell, West Midlands, who were fined £640 for taking their children out of school to visit Disney World during term time, have said they have no regrets. Francesca Longhurst, 32, an NHS worker, and her husband Liam, 37, a plasterer, saved for years to afford the dream holiday for their children, Lily, 11, and George, six.
Faced with significantly higher costs for travelling during school holidays, the family chose to take the trip in term time to make the holiday affordable. The fines were issued as a result, totalling £160 per parent per child, after a two-week absence.
Despite the penalty, the couple say the decision was financially justified, estimating that travelling during term time saved them at least £9,000. Francesca explained, “This was a holiday we had dreamed about for years but never thought we could afford. We worked extra hours to make this possible. The cost for a similar holiday during Easter, including flights and hotel, was around £12,000, excluding park tickets.”
In total, the family spent approximately £7,500, covering flights, accommodation, and theme park tickets. The fines were received two months after their return in August. While Francesca and Liam were able to pay the fines, she expressed concern over the financial impact such penalties could have on other families.
She criticised the severity of potential repeated penalties, which could include prosecution and prison sentences for child neglect, highlighting the contrast with more serious criminal offences. Francesca argued that holidays should be accessible and that the system penalising families in this way is unfair.
She noted that Lily had completed her SATs before the holiday and that neither child missed essential learning. The family also timed their absence during a period when the school was partly closed due to a heatwave.
“During our trip, they experienced educational opportunities such as swimming with dolphins, feeding alligators, and learning about wildlife,” Francesca added. “They learned more in those two weeks than during the quieter end of the school year.”
Francesca acknowledged the importance of school attendance but advocated for a system allowing a limited number of authorised holiday days annually. She highlighted the potential financial and mental health strain on families facing fines and stressed that paying these penalties can be a small price compared to the savings on holiday costs.
A spokesperson for Sandwell Council said: “We recognise the financial pressures families face, and term-time holidays may be tempting. However, regular school attendance is essential for children to reach their full potential and succeed in the future. As with all councils, we enforce Government policy on unauthorised absence in partnership with schools.”