Parents could be fined up to £120 by Tolworth Girls' School if they take their children on holiday during term-time without permission.

The school is the first in the borough to trial the fixed penalty notices scheme, which it says will combat unnecessary long-term absences.

If parents refuse to pay they could end up in front of magistrates facing a fine of up to £2,500.

Siobhan Lowe, headteacher of Tolworth Girls’ School, said: “It is incredibly frustrating when parents take students out, sometimes for a month at a time, and we used to have no power at all to do anything about it.

"The parents’ response has been mainly positive so far."

If pupils constantly miss school their parents will receive a written warning, after which they have 15 school days to make an improvement.

If absences continue,  parents will be given 28 days to pay a £60 fine or see it double to £120.

Court proceedings would be issued after 42 days where parents could end up in front of magistrates with a fine of up to £2,500.

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Are you a parent? What do you think of the idea? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8744 4262 or email hana.hausmeister@london.newsquest.co.uk