Record Scots Pupil Absences for Term-Time Holidays Amid Cost Pressures
A record number of Scottish pupils missed school last year to go on family holidays during term time, as parents sought to save money on travel costs. Youngsters were taken out of class for nearly 270,000 unauthorised holidays, with thousands absent for more than three weeks at a stretch.
Many parents argue that they cannot afford the inflated prices of family breaks during official school holidays. However, education leaders have issued stark warnings that this practice jeopardises pupils' learning and places additional pressure on already overburdened teachers.
Educational Impact and Expert Warnings
Mike Corbett, general secretary of the teaching union NASUWT, emphasised the importance of regular school attendance. 'Going to school is important for children and young people and, in a post-pandemic world where some seem to see it as optional, we would argue that parents should make every effort to prioritise their child’s attendance at school,' he stated.
Lindsay Paterson, emeritus professor of education policy at the University of Edinburgh, highlighted the disruptive effects on classrooms. 'Even if there are the benefits claimed for the individual child, this still presupposes that these benefits outweigh the value of the school curriculum,' he explained.
Professor Paterson added that teachers must divert valuable time to help absent pupils catch up, which inevitably detracts from the education of other children in the class.
Driving Factors and Financial Penalties
A key driver behind these term-time absences is the significant cost disparity for holidays. A survey by travel website On The Beach revealed that half of parents plan to take their children out of school during the current academic year. It also found that package holiday prices can soar by as much as £1,400 during school holiday periods.
Mr Corbett called for action, saying, 'Pressure needs to be brought to bear by governments and regulators on this profiteering to help reduce unauthorised absence.'
Unlike in England, where parents face fines for unauthorised holidays, Scotland has no such sanctions. Professor Paterson expressed scepticism about financial penalties, noting, 'I’m not convinced that financial penalties would do much good. Unless they were set at a very high level, it is likely that parents would simply factor penalties into their calculation of the cost of the holiday.'
External Pressures and Statistical Trends
External factors, such as the US-Iran conflict impacting oil transportation, could exacerbate the situation. Jet fuel costs surged by 58.4 per cent last week, potentially driving holiday prices even higher. Additionally, increased Scottish interest in events like the World Cup may further encourage term-time travel.
Scottish Government statistics show a clear upward trend in unauthorised holidays. The total number reached 268,176 in 2024/25, up from 254,395 the previous year and 238,149 in 2022/23.
Calls for Cultural Change
Professor Paterson advocated for a shift in public perception, stating, 'What is really needed is regular and emphatic public statements – from headteachers, local authorities, inspectors, government ministers, and opposition politicians – that school is not optional.'
This growing issue underscores the tension between family finances and educational commitments, with experts urging a collective effort to reinforce the value of consistent school attendance for all pupils.
