The parents of Britain’s biggest family have been fined after taking their children out of school for a luxury £52,000 trip to Disney World in Florida.
Noel and Sue Radford splurged on the trip to celebrate Sue’s 50th birthday in April 2025.
But after saying the family were ‘feeling the pinch’ last year, the costs of the no expense spared trip continue to rack up after they were hit with the fines last week.
The parents, from Morecambe, Lancashire, were found guilty of failing to ensure regular attendance at school for four of their children between March 24 and May 1, 2025, at Preston Magistrates Court.
For each child, they’ll be required to pay a £65 fine, along with £118 court costs, adding a further £756 to the Florida trip.
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The star of Channel 5’s 22 Kids and Counting shared snaps from the family holiday on Instagram during the break.
The pictures included a photo of the family posing with Donald Duck, as well as Sue posing in Minnie Mouse ears with a giant drink in her hand.
The bumper break saw Noel and Sue splash out on flights, accommodation and park passes for their own children and their 11 grandchildren.
The only child they left behind was their daughter Chloe, 29, as she was due to give birth to her second child.
And the celebration trip did not go without a hitch as 24-year-old Millie Radford and her two children were left at the airport when it emerged their ESTA certificates had expired.
Can you take your children out of school for holiday?
The UK government stipulates that you can be prosecuted if you do not give your child an education. You’ll normally get warnings and offers of help from the local council first.
You can only allow your child to miss school if either:
- They’re too ill to go in
- You have advanced permission from the school
There may be other exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school. Your school will consider each application and may let you take your child out of school.
Holidays in term time
A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time.
Noel stayed behind to help them reapply, and the four joined the rest of the family in Florida the next day.
Sue Radford turned 50 on March 22, 2025, insisting she was really ’49 plus one.’
Weeks after returning from her birthday celebration trip, the family were seen returning to Florida for another trip in June.
The Radfords first shot to fame on 15 Kids and Counting before landing their own Channel 5 docuseries, 22 Kids and Counting. They have 22 children and 15 grandchildren.
Sue and Noel are parents to Chris, 34, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 28, Jack, 26, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 21, James, 19, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 16, Max, 14, Tillie, 13, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, seven, Archie, six, Bonnie, five and Heidie, four.
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