Term-time holidays accounted for a quarter of unauthorised absences from schools in England, analysis of official figures shows. Almost a million children missed at least one day of school in England, despite the threat of fines.
Teachers said the fines were a "blunt instrument" and the problem was down to the price of holidays. The Department for Education said unauthorised absences damage children's life chances.
Across England, term-time holidays accounted for an average of 27% of all missed "sessions" of school. There are two sessions of school each day, morning and afternoon. The figures cover 2015-2016. In May 2016 a father won a case at the High Court to overturn a £120 fine levied for taking his daughter to Florida during term time.
If a school declares an absence unauthorised, the council can fine a parent £60 per child, which doubles to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
However, the fines appear to have not proven a deterrent as the number of unauthorised holiday absences has continued to rise.
