An NHS worker and her partner who were fined £640 for taking their children to Disney World during term time say they have no regrets, as the fee was still far cheaper than a trip during the school holidays. Francesca Longhurst, 32, and plasterer Liam Longhurst, 37, from Sandwell, West Midlands, saved for years to take their children Lily, 11, and George, six, on their dream vacation.
With steep pricing during school holidays, they say they had to pull the kids out during term time or not travel at all. The couple were handed fines of £160 per parent per child, leaving them with a total bill of £640 for a two-week absence. But they say they would still do it all over again, as going during term time likely saved them £9,000 minimum.
Cost of the holiday
Francesca said the family had dreamed of the holiday for years but never thought they would be able to afford it. She said they put every bit of spare money into the trip and worked extra hours and days to afford it. The family went in term time in June because the price is triple the cost during the holidays.
She priced up the Easter holidays and the holiday was coming to £12,000 just for flights and hotel, without park tickets on top. In the end, the family spent a total of £7,500, including £3,000 on flights and accommodation and £4,500 for theme park tickets.
Fines and concerns
The couple received their penalty notices in August, around two months after returning home. Although they were able to afford the £640 fine because they had budgeted for it, Francesca worries such penalties could cause financial hardship for other families.
She said the fines are ridiculous but what is more atrocious is that if they did it again within a three-year period they could be prosecuted and sent to prison for child neglect. She added that every child deserves a holiday but not every parent can afford to go during school time.
Educational impact
The parents deliberately waited until Lily had completed her SATs before travelling and believe neither child missed any essential learning. While away, Lily missed two school trips and sports day, but Francesca said the holiday was also very educational, including swimming with dolphins, feeding alligators and learning about wildlife.
She noted the school was also closed or open partially due to the heatwave, so they were being fined for their kids being off school when others were allowed because it was too hot. Both children are either excelling or exactly where they need to be in regards to education and have excellent attendance other than when they go on holiday.
Francesca said they cannot take their children on holiday again during school time due to the risk of being prosecuted. She works for the NHS and said this would mean losing her job as you cannot have anything on your DBS. She added that any holidays they go on, they have to save hard for, and fines could put families under financial strain.
A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that there is financial pressure on families and term-time holidays may be tempting. But attendance at school is vitally important for children to reach their potential, and to gain the skills and qualifications that will give them the best start in life and the best future.
“Like all councils across the country, we work with schools to implement Government policy on unauthorised absence.”
