MORE than 5,000 fines were handed out to parents who allowed their children to miss school across Hampshire last year.

According to the latest figures from the 2015/16 academic year 783 parents were hit with penalty notices for 'unauthorised absences' in Southampton.

Schools which fall under Hampshire County Council issued 4,337 notices last year - representing a staggering rise of 2,000 per cent on the previous year when just 200 notices were issued in 2014/15.

The increase comes after local authorities updates their guidance for schools in line with Department for Education advice in a bid to crack down on poor attendance and parents who take their children out of school during term time.

Councillor Peter Edgar, Executive Member for Education at Hampshire County Council said: “We are the third largest shire authority with 534 schools, both maintained and academy, educating over 170,000 Hampshire pupils. Schools are responsible for issuing penalty notices and while there has been no change in policy, the County Council revised its Code of Conduct for schools, in September 2015, in line with amendments to legislation.

"The County Council is continuing to follow Department for Education guidance and has advised its schools not to authorise absence in term time for family holiday unless the reason for the absence is exceptional. This corresponds with the letter issued to all schools in June 2016 from Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools."

The penalty notices see parents and carers fined £60 for each period of absence, meaning Hampshire schools netted just over £260,000 in fines whilst in Southampton fines raked in just shot of £47,000 assuming parents paid up.

According to Hampshire, under the rules there is no right to appeal a penalty notice unless it can be proved that it was issued incorrectly as it is a strict liability offence. No record of successful appeals is held by the council.

The increase in the number of fines being issued has been criticised. Solicitor Julie Robertson from the Simpson Millar firm which compiled the figures through a Freedom of Information request, said: “These figures are quite frankly staggering. Even though some cities clearly have more school children on their books than others, it seems that certain areas are particularly prolific when it comes to handing out fines for unauthorised absence.”

The figures come after Isle of Wight dad Jon Platt successfully appealed against his penalty notice last May that was issued to him for taking his children out of school for a family holiday during term time.

That ruling is currently being challenged by the Isle of Wight council. Last year the council issued 958 notices, equating to around £57, 500 in fines, according to the latest figures.

Last week it was reported how two Hampshire academies were considering changing its term dates. Education leaders said the move was aimed at improving pupils' achievement but also extending the half term breaks would allow parents to take family holidays at cheaper rates outside of peak times.

Parents and staff at Fawley Infant and Blackfield Primary are currently being consulted on whether to press ahead with the move that would see the two half terms increased from one week to two weeks and the school day extended.