Mother Battles ‘Unjust’ Fine After Taking Son on Controversial Term-Time Educational Holiday—What the Council Doesn’t Want You to Know

Ever heard of a “school trip” that comes with a side of a £160 fine? Well, Michelle Partington from Wigan sure has — after taking her 12-year-old son Oliver on what she called an ‘educational trip’ to Egypt, the land of ancient pyramids and history, only to get hit with a hefty penalty upon their return. They planned around exams, informed the school, and figured saving £2,000 by avoiding the school holiday surge was a savvy move. But nope. The local council wasn’t buying it, doubling down with fines that not only stung the wallet but canceled summer plans and sparked a family debate on what really counts as “education” — mental health and family bonding included. So, is it fair to punish parents trying to make memories, or are we all just stuck in the school system’s iron grip while vacation prices skyrocket? Dive into this modern-day tale of fines, family, and the true cost of time off. LEARN MORE

A mum was left gutted after she received a hefty fine for taking her son out of school for an ‘educational trip’.

Michelle Partington and her husband Andrew Partington, from Wigan, took their son Oliver, 12, out of school for a 10-day trip to Egypt.

Michelle explained that the family wouldn’t have been able to go in the school holidays because it would have cost an extra £2,000.

Despite telling the school that they would be going, Michelle and Andrew were both slapped with fines when they returned.

Local councils can issue a fine of £80 per parent for a child’s absence from school.

If it is not paid within 21 days then the amount doubles.

Michelle received the fine for going on holiday to Egypt with her family (Kennedy News and Media)

“It was really upsetting,” said Michelle.

“I was shocked when I found out it wasn’t just £80 and it was £160 even though we’re one family unit. I was absolutely devastated that we had to cancel the plans we had made.

“The holiday was worth it despite the fine. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip and it was magical.

“We certainly couldn’t afford to go to Egypt [during the school holidays], maybe Pontins or Haven or something.

“We work hard so getting to spend time together as a family was nice and we don’t get to do that very often.

“As much as education is really important, I think spending time with family and relaxing with family and enjoying family time on holiday is equally as important for a child’s mental health.”

The family went for a 10-day trip to Egypt (Kennedy News and Media)

Michelle took to social media where she called the fine ‘despicable behaviour’.

She explained how she let the school know they would be going, adding that she was notified that it would be classed as an unauthorised trip and that they might receive a fine.

“I did let the school know we’d be taking him out. I told the school this would be considered an education trip because we were going to Egypt which is where lots of civilisation began and there’s lots of history there,” she said.

“We arranged it to make sure there were no exams taking place so we were sensible in that much.

“They said the authorisation was denied and we would be taking him out of school without their consent. They advised me that we may receive a fine.

“I was expecting to get a fine and I’d heard that it was £80. Myself and my husband received separate letters. I just thought they were doing their due diligence by sending it to both of us, but it was £160. You’d think there was a better way to deal with this.

“We had trips booked during the summer holidays, but because of the additional expense of the fine those things have had to go to the wayside. Oliver wanted to go to Jurassic World in London but the funds aren’t there.”

Michelle called the fine ‘despicable’ (Kennedy News and Media)

During the trip, the family went snorkelling, quad biking and visited the desert.

Michelle is now calling on the council, as well as travel companies, to stop charging such high prices during school holidays.

“We had to swap his high school because he was bullied. He was still very upset about what had happened. This holiday was to cheer him up about that as well,” she said.

“I feel like the school and the council didn’t really take that into consideration. You’d have thought there’d be some sort of lenience there.

“Even if the council said yes ‘you have to send this fine’, does each parent have to pay it? They should give an option to pay it in instalments so it’s not as big of a hit.

“I can understand the school wanting to take a stance on children being present at school and I understand education is so important.

“What is unfair is the holiday companies charging through the nose so much more money when people need to go during the school holidays. It just makes it impossible for normal people to book nice holidays during the school holidays because it’s too expensive.”

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “Parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

“Headteachers may only grant a leave of absence during term time if they consider that there are exceptional circumstances, and the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, updated in August 2024, reinforces that a holiday is not considered exceptional.”

LADbible has also reached out to Wigan Council for comment.