Torfaen Term-time Holiday Fines Rise by 11% in Past Year

Parents in Torfaen face increased penalties for taking children out of school during term time, as new figures show an 11% rise in fixed penalty notices issued by the council. 📊

During the 2024-2025 financial year, Torfaen Borough Council received 261 requests from schools to issue fixed penalties for unauthorised absences – up from 235 in the previous year.

The council introduced £120 fines last year (reduced to £60 if paid within 60 days) primarily to address unauthorised holidays taken during term time.

Education welfare officer Hannah Catherine Moore explained the fines are intended as a “deterrent” but are “just one tool” within the “kit” used for addressing attendance.

“We really need to make sure if parents are taking children out of school on a regular basis we can show them the impact that is having,” Moore told councillors.

She noted that while some parents continue to accept the fines, they’ve seen positive results in reducing repeat absences: “Obviously there are some parents who take the fine and continue to take the children out of school but what we are seeing is within certain year groups and within certain families doing that year on year it has been good on reducing that.”

The council can pursue stronger measures for persistent offenders, with Moore mentioning “other punitive measures such as prosecution if appropriate” for families taking children out “twice a year, year on year on year.”

Schools across Torfaen may handle requests differently, with Moore explaining: “Some schools might implement a policy it won’t authorise any holidays other schools do give consideration to the nature of the request, it might be a pupil returning to their homeland. Every single situation is very different.”

The council has withdrawn some fines when additional information came to light, particularly to avoid causing financial hardship in vulnerable families.

Of the 261 fixed penalty requests in 2024/25, only 11 were withdrawn – significantly fewer than the previous year when 44 out of 235 were withdrawn.

Moore encouraged parents to be transparent with schools: “We try to get the message out to parents to be open and honest with schools. Parents can request a leave of absence, they can submit a holiday form.” ✏️