Schools are to be issued with a new rule book over how to deal with children - and their families - who take holidays during term time.

Parents will be told permission for a child to be absent from the classroom will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

If time off is allowed and the child does not return to school within ten working days of the scheduled date, the matter will be passed to the council's education social work department.

The new strategy is designed to provide clear areas of responsibility to pupils, parents, schools and the local education authority itself.

It reflects growing concern that a child's education and future prospects will be irrevocably damaged if they take a long period of leave from the classroom.

It stresses the importance of planning extended visits abroad to fit around school holidays and not during the 190 days each year a child is expected to be sitting at his or her desk.

Councillor Eileen McNally, chairman of the Schools Sub-committee, said that the council understood the importance of children from ethnic minority families to have contact with their extended family abroad.

Cultural roots were important, as were visits to a family's place of origin, she said.

"We recognise the value to children of accessing different experiences both in this country and abroad, but that has to be balanced against disruption to a school career, which may result in falling behind, poorer exam results and an unfulfilled potential in later life.

"We want to keep families informed from the start of their child's education so that they can work with schools to pursue the best options for their children, both in terms of schools achievement and accessing their cultural history."

The new policy was drawn up after widespread consultation with schools, community groups, children and families.

It reflects growing concern that a child's education and future prospects will be irrevocably damaged if they take a long period of leave from the classroom.

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