Parents face fines over term-time holidays

Travel agents must ask parents who want to book holidays with their children during term-time whether they have the school's permission, under new anti-truancy measures.

Almost half of all unauthorised absences by pupils are condoned by their families. Some parents take offpeak breaks during their children's term-time to save money.

The Government's initiative, which will be carried out jointly with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), will be reinforced by fines of up to £100 on parents. The penalty notices will come into effect in April.

Ivan Lewis, the Education Minister, said: "Taking a holiday during termtime means that children miss important school time and coursework and it will be difficult for them to catch up."

Figures released this month revealed that the number of parents taken to court for failing to ensure their children attend school reached 7, 500 this year, with guilty verdicts returned in 80 per cent of cases.

Some parents were sent to prison, although the vast majority were given community service orders.

The strict new guidelines have the support of the ABTA, despite the potential loss of sales.

Heads are able to grant up to 10 days' leave of absence for holidays if they are consulted in advance. Agreement usually depends on the child's academic progress and attendance record.

Recent truancy sweeps revealed that around half of truants - 48 per cent - were with their parents and most of them were shopping.

Ian Reynolds, chief executive of the ABTA, advises parents to get discounts on taking family holidays during school breaks by booking well in advance. He said: "It means getting holidays at a good price and that your children's education doesn't suffer".