PARENTS who take their children out of school during term time might be spared fines - depending on their children’s attendance.

The Government lost an appeal against a court ruling earlier this year against a father from the Isle of Wight who objected to a £120 fine levied over his daughter’s seven day absence for a holiday during term time - when prices are typically much cheaper than during the annual summer break.

While the Government said it would consider changing the law following the case, it still advocated fining parents who booked holidays during term time, as it meant children would not be gaining education.

Since the 2013/14 school year, 1,961 fines have been issued by North Yorkshire County Council, with 651 issued in 2013/14, 926 in 2014/15 but just 384 last year.

A spokesman for the county council said the reduction in the number of penalty notices issued for unauthorised school absences was common across the county and “largely the result of a change in the county council’s criteria”.

He said: “Following the High Court ruling on term-time absence earlier this year, the county council took the decision to suspend the issuing of penalty notices for unauthorised absence if a child’s school attendance is 90 per cent or above in the preceding six months, including any holiday.”

However, the spokesman made it clear that “if a child’s term-time attendance falls below 90 per cent, a penalty notice will be issued for any unauthorised absence”.

Most councils across the region and country have also seen a reduction in the number of fines issued. City of York Council has not yet been able to provide up to date figures or comment to The Press. These shall be added when available.

The NYCC spokesman said the authority had previously followed Government guidance, which said children could only be taken out of school in exceptional circumstances, and which did not include holidays.

He said while the fines were no longer automatically sent, they would still be issued if attendance was below 90 days, but this could change depending on future advice from the Government.

He said: “Following the High Court ruling, the county council is awaiting further guidance from the DfE and the outcome of an appeal against the High Court judgement.”