Britain’s largest family ended up in court after taking their children out of school for an expensive trip to Florida’s Disney World. Noel and Sue Radford, parents of 22 children, found themselves in court and hit with substantial fines. The family spent approximately $70,000 on the vacation to celebrate Sue’s 50th birthday in April 2025. The lavish trip included flights, accommodation, and park passes for their children and 11 grandchildren. However, the magical experience came with a hefty price beyond the vacation costs when authorities charged them for unauthorized school absences.
Britain’s Biggest Family Makes Headlines
The Radfords hold the title of Britain’s largest family with 22 children. Noel and Sue live in Morecambe, Lancashire, in a converted care home. The couple met as children after both were adopted as babies. Sue gave birth to their first child, Christopher, when she was just 14 years old. They married when Sue turned 17 and Noel was 21. The family stars in their own Channel 5 reality television series called “22 Kids and Counting”. Their show documents daily life with their massive family. The Radfords have built a significant social media following with hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms.
A $70,000 Birthday Celebration
Noel and Sue Radford splurged on Sue’s 50th birthday celebration, sparing no expense. The trip cost approximately $70,000 when converted from the £52,000 they spent. Nearly all 22 children joined the vacation, along with 11 grandchildren. Only their daughter Chloe, who was 29 and pregnant at the time, stayed home.
The family posted their magical Disney World adventures online on Instagram, including an image with the massive family posing with Donald Duck. Flight costs alone reached an astounding £26,228 before baggage fees. The family also paid for accommodation at a villa with a swimming pool. Several of the older children brought their spouses along for the vacation.
Missing School for the Magical Trip
Noe and Sue had 4 of their younger children removed from school from March 24 through to May 1, 2025 to attend the celebrations. Schools require parental permission for any planned absences during term time. Headteachers hold the authority to approve or deny such requests. The law states that holidays generally do not qualify as exceptional circumstances. Parents cannot usually take children away during school term time without authorization. The Radfords’ school did not authorize the extended absence for the Disney trip.
Court Verdict and Financial Penalties
Noel and Sue Radford were found guilty of failing to ensure the 4 children attended school regularly. The court determined they violated attendance requirements for their children. Each parent received a fine of $88 (£65) per child. The court also imposed $160 (£118) in court costs on top of the per-child fines. The total financial penalty reached approximately $1,024 (£756), adding to their already expensive and costly Disney World trip. The court proceedings took place several months after the family returned from Florida. Lancashire County Council requested the penalty notices through the school.
Understanding UK School Attendance Laws
British law gives local councils and schools significant power to enforce regular attendance. Parents face legal consequences when children miss school without valid reasons. The government established a national threshold in August 2024. Schools must consider penalty notices when students have 10 sessions of unauthorized absence within 10 weeks.
First-time offenders pay £80 per parent, per child if settled within 21 days. The fine increases to £160 if paid between 22 and 28 days. Second offenses within 3 years cost £160 with no reduced rate option. Parents can receive only 2 fines for the same child within 3 years. Third offenses result in prosecution rather than fines, with potential penalties up to £2,500.
How Research Links Attendance to Achievement
Research in the educational field consistently shows strong links between school attendance and a child’s academic performance. Students who miss school regularly generally produce lower achievements. Missing out on lessons can hamper a child’s progress, even missing just two days monthly can significantly impact grades. Absence from school creates knowledge gaps that become difficult to fill.
Truancy shows stronger negative effects on achievement than illness-related absences. Students who skip school often face underlying issues beyond simple absence. Chronic absenteeism predicts higher dropout rates and reduced future earning potential. Regular attendance builds essential life skills like responsibility and time management. Research demonstrates that consistent school attendance helps students make better social progress.
Council Defends Attendance Enforcement
Lancashire County Council issued a strong statement supporting the fines against the Radford family. A council spokesperson emphasized education as a key priority for young people and should not undermine its importance. The statement noted that research proves attendance links directly to academic achievement. Schools play a crucial role in student development and future success. Beyond academic success, school attendance helps with socialising and teambuilding amongst young children learning to establish relationships.
The spokesperson explained that headteachers hold final authority over absence approvals. Penalty notices serve as enforcement tools available to local authorities when schools request them. Courts ultimately determine whether fines should be issued in each case. The council stressed that attendance laws provide clear guidelines. Schools receive encouragement to work closely with parents to reduce unauthorized absences. The council’s primary goal remains ensuring children attend school and receive quality education.
Balancing Family Time and School Requirements
The Radford case highlights tensions between family celebrations and educational obligations. Parents must weigh the value of once-in-a-lifetime experiences against legal requirements. Schools face pressure to maintain high attendance rates while showing understanding for family circumstances. The significant cost difference between term-time and holiday travel creates difficult choices for families.
The Radfords run a successful pie business that supports their large family. Their bakery, Radford’s Pie Company, operates in Heysham near their home. The family also earns income from their television show and social media partnerships. Despite financial resources, they still faced the same legal consequences as any other family.
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