Parents in Birmingham were hit with more than £25,000 worth of fines in the last school year, for unauthorised school absences over the past 12 months.
According to the Birmingham Mail who obtained a Freedom of Information, 432 fines were issued by Birmingham County Council.
If a child is taken out of school without permission parents can incur a fine of £60 per pupil, which can increase to £120 if it is not paid within 21 days.
Highlighting how it is up to the school to determine what an exceptional circumstance is, solicitor Julie Robertson told the publication that is can depend on postcode.
“From the national figures we can see how some schools are using their discretion appropriately where the parents are sensible in their choices and decisions," she said.
“Others seem to be rather abundant in slapping parents with a fine regardless of the circumstances.
“What one headteacher agrees are special circumstances, another doesn’t. It is a postcode lottery. We need more consistency and, in some areas, more common sense.”
Taking kids out of school during term has been an issue that has arisen time and time again, with families left outraged and upset over the ramifications.
However, many parents thought the struggle against school boards may be a thing of the past now thanks to Jon Platt's landmark legal victory earlier this year.
The 44-year-old was refused permission by his daughter’s school to take her away during term, and he was slapped with a £120 fine for going ahead anyway with his plans.
When he protested against the fine, he was ordered to appear before a court, but he fought the case tooth and nail.
His legal representative argued that British law only requires parents to ensure their kids attend school “regularly”, with no mention of a restriction regarding taking them on holidays during term.
In what is now being regarded as a landmark case, magistrates decided that Mr Platt had no case to answer even before his trial was called up.
