PARENTS in Powys are facing £60 penalties if their children miss school including for term time holidays.

Powys County Council is using new powers from the Welsh Government to slap the fines on parents of children who regularly miss school from this week.

But a senior politician and the NUT teaching union have rubbished the plans, though the headteacher of Brecon High School said penalty notices can be a useful tool for schools.

Rob Broadbridge, the headteacher of Brecon High, said he was familiar with penalty notices as they are used in England, where he has previously worked.

"Penalty notices can get parents and guardians to engage with schools," said Mr Broadbridge but acknowledged a £60 fine is unlikely to deter parents from booking term time holidays if they can save thousands of pounds.

David Evans, the NUT Wales secretary, warned: "We know that truancy and poverty are linked. Financially punishing parents will, in all likelihood, hit the most vulnerable people and those families closest to the poverty line."

Plaid Cymru's education spokesman and Mid and West Wales AM Simon Thomas said: "Fixed penalties for 'mitching' won't allow schools to measure a child and family's needs."

The Welsh Government claimed parents need permission from headteachers to take their children out of school during term time. It confirmed heads can authorise up to 10 days absence, in contrast to the policy agreed by Powys and other councils in the ERW education consortium that claims heads can only authorise five days absence.

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