Rule explained as UK’s biggest family in court following £52,000 Disney World trip

The UK's biggest family found themselves in court weeks after spending £52,000 on a trip to Disney World.

Sue and Noel Radford, known for appearing on Channel 5 reality show 22 Kids and Counting, were recently at Preston Magistrates Court because they took their kids to the Florida theme park during school hours.

As shown on the family's social media page, they headed to the sunshine state to celebrate her 50th Birthday earlier in April.

It's thought that nearly all 22 kids, apart from their daughter Chloe, 29, were said to have travelled to Disneyland Florida, according to LancsLive.

Following their return from holiday, however, the Morecambe couple ended up receiving fines for taking their kids out of school.

Both Sue and Noel have been found guilty of failing to ensure regular attendance at school for four of their children between 24 March and 1 May 2025. They were fined £65 per child and were ordered to pay £118 in court costs.

The Radford family were in court for taking their kids on a £52,000 trip to Disney World during school hours (Instagram/@theradfordfamily)

Official school attendance and absence rules say 'you can be fined or face legal action for taking your child on holiday during term time'.

"A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance," the government website states.

"You cannot usually take your child away during term time."

So, if your child is missing from school 'without a good reason', local councils and schools have the authority to dish out the following four punishments:

Parenting order

A parenting order means you'll have to attend parenting classes based on what the court says.

Education supervision order

They went to Disneyland to celebrate Sue's 50th Birthday (Instagram/@theradfordfamily)

If the local council believes you’re not cooperating, they can apply to the court for an education supervision order.

A supervisor will then be appointed to support you in getting your child into education on a regular basis.

The council can choose to do this instead of either taking legal action, or in addition to it.

School attendance order

Once you receive the order, you’ll have 15 days to provide evidence that your child has been registered at the school named in the order, or that they are being educated at home. If you fail to do this, you could face prosecution or a fine.

Fine

The council can issue each parent a fine of up to £80, which increases to £160 if not paid within 21 days.

From the 2024 to 2025 school year, each parent can receive a maximum of two fines for the same child within a three-year period.

A second fine within that period will be £160, and failure to pay within 28 days may result in being taken to court for your child’s non-attendance.

If your child misses school three or more times within the three-year period, you won’t receive another fine—but the council may still take you to court.