School holidays could be moved back a week in Essex to give parents access to cheaper holiday deals – but there is a twist under the plans announced by Essex County Council’s new administration.
Essex County Council’s plans are being discussed amid longstanding frustrations over the way many holiday prices are hiked during school holiday periods.
Parents planning to take children out of school early for summer holidays are also being warned they could face fines of up to £160 per child under current attendance rules in England.
With many families already looking ahead to soaring summer travel costs, experts say some parents may not realise how much school holiday penalties have increased in recent years – and these can negate any savings that may be had from taking holidays during term time.
But Essex County Council’s new Reform administration says it is looking at changing term times by a week – potentially giving parents access to cheaper offers. But there is a twist.
Essex County Council sets dates for community and voluntary controlled schools in Essex. Term dates for foundation, voluntary-aided schools, and academies may be different. With term dates already set for the next two school years, any changes will not be brought in until 2028/29 at the earliest.
Councillor Sam Journet, cabinet member for education, SEND and skills at Essex County Council, responded to a question from county councillor for Caney Island East Keiron McGill describing the current price increases as “grotesque”.
He said: “We’re looking at taking the school holiday time out of sync with the current educational system. So moving the holidays back by one week, which would allow parents then to be able to take their children on holiday outside of the standard holiday schedule, meaning reduced prices for parents across Essex.
“Obviously the term dates are fixed for the next two years so the earliest that we would be able to do this is 28/29.
“But I can definitely assure you and assure your residents of Canvey Island and Castle Point that we’re doing everything we can as an administration to try and get better prices for them to take their children on holiday during the six weeks period.”
School absence rules were changed for the last school year meaning each parent can now be fined £160 per child. So two parents taking two children out of school for a holiday could face a family fine of £640 – £160 per parent, per child.
Under current guidance, parents can be fined £80 per child for unauthorised absences if paid within 21 days. That rises to £160 if unpaid after 28 days. Latest Department for Education figures show more than 459,000 fines were issued for unauthorised term-time holidays during the 2024/25 academic year, making up the vast majority of attendance penalties handed out by councils.
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The warning comes as online discussions around school holiday fines continue to divide opinion among parents trying to balance family budgets with attendance policies.
According to government guidance, councils across England can issue penalty notices for unauthorised absences, including term-time holidays that haven’t been approved by schools.
The total number of fines or penalty notices Essex County Council has issued to parents for unauthorised school absences has grown markedly. In 2021/22 there were 7,875 in total. This grew to 12,953 in 2022/23, 13,266 in 2023/24 and 11,518 in 2024/25.
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