PARENTS in West Craven are to lose their "off peak" cheaper holidays after a decision to bring school term times into line with the rest of Lancashire.

School holidays and term dates across the 11 education districts of Lancashire will be standardised next year meaning Barnoldswick, Earby, Kelbrook and Salterforth schools will no longer break up almost a month earlier than others.

County councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for schools, announced the decision to bring all districts in line with Local Government Association recommendations following extensive public consultation. Schools will adopt a standard school year comprising of approximately two seven-week terms and four six-week terms.

At the moment, school term dates within Lancashire vary among the 11 administrative districts of the LEA. Most start the school year at the beginning of September and run through until the middle of July. But the main exceptions are in Pendle and Burnley.

Here the pattern is based on the traditional town holidays, known as 'Wakes Weeks', and West Craven schools close at the start of July and return in the middle of August. Half term is held in September - just when the rest of the country is going back to school after the summer.

Parents have had the advantage of a July break at cheaper rates but from September 2006 that advantage will clearly be lost.

The changes have been brought into force despite fears they will send absence rates soaring by parents who decide to take advantage of the cheaper holiday rates.

Coun Whittaker said: "This decision has been taken for educational reasons. A standardised, consistent school year will produce a better environment for pupils and staff.

"It also provides a consistent pattern for parents to plan holidays and avoid clashes from children attending schools with different holidays. Teachers will benefit as they will find it easier to plan lessons, stress levels will be reduced and it will help the local authority and schools in recruiting and retaining staff.

"Ultimately the decision will help us to raise educational standards and promote better outcomes for pupils."

Schools and parents were shocked when the Herald broke the news to them this week. They had no indication of the announcement and teachers said they wanted to contact parents before making any comment.

But Coun David Whipp said: "I think it is deplorable that we have just had the county council elections and an issue like this was not once raised in any Labour party leaflet. This is a decision that has effectively been taken behind closed doors - there has been no discussion or debate - it has just been imposed and that is a disgrace.

"I think this is very bad indeed for the whole of our area. I have campaigned against it on the basis that we are a low wage area and one of the benefits of the present school holiday periods is that we can take holidays outside peak times - that means hundreds and hundreds of pounds difference.

"What will happen now is that many parents will take their children out of school during term time. Terms will be the same for the whole of the country so all the school holidays will be clustered together and prices will go through the roof."

Coun Whipp also added the changes would have an impact on local business and factories which traditionally take the 'Wakes Week' holiday.

Coun Whipp said he would be raising the issue at County Hall.

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce was among those fighting to save the Wakes Weeks after its surveys with a sample of manufacturers who feared they could experience problems in terms of "competivity and staff dissatisfaction".

Governor of Church School Jennifer Purcell said: "I am absolutely disgusted because it has always been that way and it should always stay that way.

"It will not help the parents in the town because they will no longer be able to go on cheap holidays - everyone will have to pay high prices for everything.

"It is going to be a complete headache for everyone. No one is going to benefit and I think holiday companies will suffer as well."

Headteacher at Coates Lane Primary School, Sue Holloway, said parents had contacted the school to ask for a summer school to be introduced to cope with the eight-week holiday break when the new terms are introduced.

She said: "It is a long time to make child care arrangements. I don't know what will happen - it has come as a bit of a shock in a way and I expect lots of things will have to be ironed out.

"But the major advantage for the professionals here is that all the schools will be off together. In terms of running an educational establishment like ours we do encounter a lot of problems - as the hub of Lancashire have different holidays to us.

"There are always advantages and disadvantages to a new decision and I do sympathise with the people in Barnoldswick especially because some of the industries are down to skeleton staff because of Wakes Week."