Parents face fines over term trips

Parents could face fines for taking their children out of school without permission.

Changes to the law, which came into force on September 1, mean schools no longer have the discretion to grant 10 days of authorised leave to pupils each year.

Every local authority has been told to clamp down on the number of children who are off school in term-time by refusing any requests without exceptional circumstances.

And Kirklees Council has backed the tougher stance on term-time holidays.

Coun Peter O’Neill (Lab, Batley West), cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It is a government initiative that we are supporting.

“We do realise that some people have concerns that they cannot afford high prices out of term-time, but it is a major disadvantage to miss out on learning.

“We do have good school attendance in Kirklees and the figures show we are above the national average.”

The new rules are aimed at preventing youngsters missing vital chunks of their education.

Ignoring the warning could prove costly for parents as they could face £60 fines where leave is not authorised by the headteacher.

The fine rises to £120 if it is not paid within 21 days.

If a parent has more than one child, they could face separate fines for each child who misses school.