'I've taken both my kids out of school during term-time - this is why system is flawed'

With MPs set to debate the issue of school penalty charges in Parliament, a mum-of-two is determined to show that the topic is about far more than just wanting cheaper holidays.

Under current guidelines, schools must consider fining parents if their child misses ten or more sessions (the equivalent of five school days) without authorisation. Local councils may issue a fine of £80, which doubles to £160 if not paid within a 21-day period. Should this extend to 28 days, the parent in question could face prosecution.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many argue that these charges place additional pressures on parents who simply can't afford to take their little ones away during peak school holiday times, when package prices soar by an average of 18 per cent.

However, Natalie Elliott, the mother behind the campaign group Fight School Fines, is keen to show that the subject of holidays is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this debate.

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As a mum to two school-aged children, one of whom has additional needs, Natalie knows all too well that there are many reasons why a child may need to be taken out of class. And sadly, she and her family have been affected by the current inflexible legislation.

Natalie, from Derbyshire, told the Mirror: "You've also got children with special educational needs and disabilities. Like with my daughter, she's autistic, and she struggles with going anywhere where it's busy.

"We have stuck to the rules. We have gone in term time and in school holidays, but when we went last October, and she really struggled. It was so busy, it was just too overwhelming, and it was stressful for all of us. And that has a knock-on effect on my little boy as well because, you know, all he's seeing on his holidays is my daughter kicking off and having meltdowns because she just can't cope in the environment."

Although Natalie, 37, has stuck to the rules in terms of family holidays, she has found herself at odds with her nine-year-old daughter's school, after they allegedly refused to let her take the little girl out of class for reasons pertaining to her mental health.

The professional mental health worker explained: "In January, she was really struggling with her mental health. She's nine, she's hormonal as well. So, you know, autistic and hormonal together is not a very good combination. And then if school aren't meeting the needs, it's a recipe for disaster. It's like an explosion, really.

"She was really struggling, you know, she was refusing to go to school. She's a big girl; you can't drag her into school. But we said we need some time away from the environment."

Natalie's daughter goes to a separate school from her seven-year-old son, and she asked both schools where a two day absence could be authorised under "exceptional circumstances" - a decision that she notes is "within the headteacher's remit".

Although her son's school authorised the absence, and showed sympathy for the "big knock-on-effect" the situation was having on the little boy, her daughter's school refused.

According to Natalie: "They said that they couldn't do it because that's what the framework says, that's what the government guidance states, which is wrong. I didn't challenge it because they did say we're not going to refer you the fines, I just left it.

"I wish I had challenged it to be honest. But at the time, I was stressed, everyone's mental health was fraught, so we just took the days off and had a chance to just be together as a family and just try and get away from that situation for a bit. Then, when she did go back to school, she was a lot better, and then I've tried in the meantime to obviously put in more support for her as well, which they have been helping with, you know, as much as they can really."

For Natalie, who says the schools are "literally next to each other by proximity", this outcome shows that the current system relies on who the headteacher is, and whether or not "they've got any compassion or empathy or if they know your child and the family enough".

According to Natalie, this is a dilemma that many face when parenting children whose needs aren't being met by the school. She pointed to one sad story from one of the campaign group members, who has now been slapped with a criminal record for taking her bullied son out of school.

As explained by Natalie, this mother's marriage had recently broken down, and she'd been left unable to pay the fine, despite trying to sort things out with the school. She ended up being sent to court. Natalie, who learned of the woman's plight last year, revealed, "At the time, there wasn't really any support, so no, she didn't challenge it. Now she's got that it's going to stay on a DBS at least for 10 years."

Other members of the campaign group have had to pull children out of school to visit dying family members across the country or overseas, only for the school to mark this down on the register as a 'Code G' - ie an unauthorised family holiday. Natalie said: "This is an offence, because it's a legal document and they need to be held accountable."

She went on to emphasise: "I really do think education is important. I'm doing an open university degree myself, so I know the importance of education, but I don't think we should be prioritising that over the well-being of our children."

The petition to allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days fine-free free has gained more than 180,000 signatures, with plenty of parents being able to related to the challenges faced by Natalie and her family.

This petition argues: "We're seeking reform to the punitive policy for term time leave that disproportionately impacts families that are already under immense pressure and criminalises parents that we think are making choices in the best interests of their families. No family should face criminal convictions."

The Government has since issued the following response: "We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity by supporting every child to achieve and thrive at school, working with parents and protecting children’s right to education. On holidays in particular, we understand that some parents wish to avoid peak periods.

"However, the school year is structured in such a way as to provide plenty of time throughout the year for holidays outside of term-time, and schools also have considerable flexibility to plan term dates themselves, and hold inset days and other occasional days at less busy times of the year."

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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