<P> Another important consequence of the timing of English school holidays is the pricing of holiday accommodation . There is generally a steep rise in the cost of accommodation during the school holidays, due to increased demand . The English tourism industry closely monitors various websites that provide up to date school holiday information, and sets its prices accordingly . Prices often drop by hundreds of pounds just one week into the new school term . Since most schools have a strict policy against children being taken out of school, parents who decide to save money by taking a family holiday during the school term risk not only damaging their children's education but also fines or warnings from their school . Parents can be issued with a penalty notice whenever they take their children on holiday during term time without getting authorisation from the school . Penalty notices can be issued by local councils, headteachers (including deputy and assistant heads authorised by them) and the police . Generally, schools will agree to no more than 10 school days of absence in any school year . </P> <P> The Swallows and Amazons series of children's novels by Arthur Ransome are all set in the school holidays, generally the long (August) summer holidays although some are set in Easter or winter . For example, in "Pigeon Post", he wrote: Term time was gone as if it had been wiped out . Real life was beginning again . </P>

How many school half terms in a year