A DAD has told how his kids’ school has fined him £120 after they missed class for a holiday that he “didn’t even know about”.
Matthew Beale, whose kids live with their mum, is being asked to fork out £60 per child after they went to Australia for six weeks.
The mum, who took the five and eight-year-old to visit family, has also been fined the same amount.
Matthew has tried to appeal the fine with both Radleys Primary School and Walsall Council but both avenues have led nowhere.
He told Black Country Live: “My issue lies with the school who have fined me as a parent because I have parental responsibility as I’m on the birth certificates.
“I contacted them to explain I didn’t know, I don’t live with the children, but they explained I have the parental responsibility. The frustrating part for me is, while trying not to pay the fine, I’ve asked for advice from the headteacher on how I can avoid this.”
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Matthew claims the school said he should have called them to say he “disagrees with the kids being taken out of school.”
But he argues: “Even if I did know they were going on holiday, how would I stop another human being going to the airport? So to pay £120 for not being able to control the actions of another adult is ridiculous.
“I mean do I have to go and research all their terms and conditions to not get fined? Bearing in mind I don’t live with them, I don’t understand how it’s fair.”
Matthew says the fine will mean he will be out of pocket for three months as he will pay it in instalments.
He must fork up the sum by August 14 or the fine will double.
He explained: “I’m a single dad struggling to survive who has had a period of unemployment of two months this year.
“I’m going to have to borrow off friends and family. That’s the only way I’m going to be able to afford it. With the cost of living, price of butter is going up, I can’t even eat toast now without having to pay £7 or £9 for a pack of Lurpak.
“I am struggling, I am having to borrow money to pay these fines.”
Mr Beale now plans to speak to the Education Welfare Service and the Citizens Advice Bureau for help.
He added: “I can’t see any of that coming into play before I’m going to be forced to pay this fine.
“I’m going to be out of pocket for probably three months. I can’t pay that back in one instalment, it’s going to have to be three or four months.”
“The school have tried to fob me off on the phone. I’ve asked for compassion and to be pardoned for my ignorance and it’s disappointing that I’ve received no other emails other than that the fine will stand.”
Walsall Council said: “Both parents/carers of a child have a legal duty and are therefore responsible for ensuring that a child attends school regularly.
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“If a child is taken out of school without authorisation, the school will notify the local authority and both parents/carers will be issued with penalty notices – each with a responsibility to pay their own notice(s).
“School headteachers are advised not to grant any leave of absence during term time for any purpose unless there are exceptional circumstances.”
