A MOTHER has claimed to have saved £15,000 by taking her children on holidays during term time.
Not only this, but she also insisted she’s not going to stop as it’s not “affecting their “.
Rachel Smith, 35, takes her two – Brayden, 13, and Elianna, 11 – out of school every year during term time to go on .
This year the has saved £2,000 by booking a holiday to Majorca in June – instead of during school .
While she regularly receives , she said she’s not “going to stop”; and is still “better off”; than going when prices have doubled.
New data has revealed parents across and have paid more than £41million in fines between 2022 and 2024.
Rachel, who works in finance, from , , explained: “There is no way I’m paying the prices in the school holidays.
“I think it’s a joke – they find a way to penalise the working class.
“The more fortunate are in a position to go in the – not all of us can do that. I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
“I’m not going to stop doing it. Why should my children miss out?
“I’ve £15,000 at least.”;
Rachel has been taking her kids out of school during term time since May 2018 – and they have since been to , , , .
She often removes them from school in May or June – after they have sat any exams.
Rachel forks out the £60 fine – totalling £120 – but this year, this has now risen to £80 per child, costing her £160 in total, but Rachel still feels it is worth it.
Rachel continued: “I’m still massively better off. I do it at the end of the school year – after exams. I don’t feel I’m affecting their education.
“I’m not doing anything that is detrimental for them.
“After exams they are winding down. I don’t feel I’m doing anything malicious.
“They do what is needed and then we . It’s a big well done.”;
This year Rachel is taking her kids and her to Majorca in June for a week for an price of £1,900.
She beamed: “It’s a fantastic price. Looking in the school holiday time and it wasn’t coming under £4,000.
“It’s outrageous. That would pay for two holidays.”;
Rachel isn’t surprised at how many have been handed out for other parents doing the same.
She shared: “The amount of fines just shows how people are feeling.
“The fines are going to be huge. I’m not shocked by the amount.
There is no way I’m paying the prices in the school holidays
Rachel Smith
“So many people are not willing to pay double the price.”;
As well as this, Rachel said she will continue taking her kids on holiday during term, as she questioned: “Why should I not have this opportunity with my kids while I can?
“We go on one holiday after they have done .
“If I was a serial offender – come down on me.”;
