Too many parents take their children on holiday in term time with at least one grammar school allows up to 10 days off, a meeting heard.

The news was not greeted with enthusiasm by Rose Collinson, the children’s director for Medway Council.

She is seeking urgent talks to stress the importance of parents making sure their children go to school.

Parent governor Elaine Watson speaking at a meeting of the council’s children’s committee, said: “My daughter’s school allows 10 days off - and it’s a grammar school.”

Former education committee chairman, Pat Wozencroft , now a school governor representative on the committee, said: “A lot of people say they would rather pay the fine, because it is much too low.”

Ms Collinson said:“Going to school and staying in school is important, otherwise you don’t succeed.

“It is Medway’s policy for children to be in school and stay there. It is not Medway policy not to permit term-time holidays.”

She added: “Parental sentences through the courts are not strong enough.”

DO YOU think schools are too soft when it comes to allowing time off during term? Or does the soaring cost of going away during the school holidays justify it? We’d like to know about your experiences. You can drop us a line at medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk or join the debate by clicking on the SpeakOut below.