PARENTS in York could face hefty fines for taking pupils on holiday during term-time.

City of York Council has asked all schools to remind parents it is their responsibility to ensure children attend regularly and that they are guilty of an offence if they do not.

Many schools have highlighted the risk in newsletters to parents, reporting that local authorities can, as a last resort, issue fixed penalty notices of £50.

If not paid within 28 days, the fine can rise to £100 and parents can face prosecution if they still fail to pay.

If a case of persistent truancy were to go to court a parent could face a fine of up to £2,500, or a jail term of up to three months.

Pete Dwyer, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “Parents should not automatically expect a school to agree to an absence for a holiday during term time, particularly if it is for more than ten days.

“Taking a holiday during term-time means that children miss important school time – both educationally and for other school activities. It will be difficult for them to catch up on work later on.”

By law, schools have the discretion to grant up to ten days authorised absence in a school year.

Each application is considered individually by the school, taking into account factors like the timing of the holiday and the child’s attendance record .

Parents are advised to negotiate absence with the school as early as possible.

Nick Seaton, the chairman of York-based parent lobbying group, the Campaign For Real Education, said: “The majority of parents act responsibly and know that taking children out of school in term-time for holidays should be avoided if at all possible.

“On some occasions, it’s unavoidable for a number of reasons, but parents know they should always let the school know of their plans.”