Many teachers in England and Wales believe that taking children on term-time holidays can be more beneficial than attending school, according to a three-year research programme. Frontline staff also feel the school system is not prepared to address the ongoing attendance crisis, where almost one in five children miss at least 10% of school.
A report by youth charity Impetus and Public First, based on in-depth conversations with teachers, suggests that many educators share parents' and pupils' scepticism regarding the effectiveness of holiday fines. One teacher stated they would take their own child out of school for a holiday if they were not a teacher, citing cost savings. Another commented that a significant holiday experience could be more valuable than a week in school in January.
The report, titled 'A Crisis of Disengagement', involved discussions with 62 secondary school staff from schools where over 25% of pupils were eligible for free school meals. These staff described chasing pupil attendance as "relentless" and considered occasional holidays or minor absences less concerning than sustained disengagement. While some staff viewed fines as necessary, many believed they damaged trust and hindered efforts to re-engage families.
A record 492,825 penalty notices for unauthorised absences were issued to parents in England in 2024-25. The absence rate for pupils in England in 2025-26 was 6.93%, significantly higher than the 4.7% recorded in 2018-19 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Teachers and senior leaders also highlighted that a lack of mental health support, unmet special educational needs, and a shortage of social workers are making their roles more challenging. Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus, stated that teachers cannot resolve the attendance crisis alone, pointing to a wider crisis of disengagement driven by pressures often beyond school staff control.