Education penalty notices
You might get a penalty notice if you don’t make sure your child goes to school.
You will get a warning letter before you get a penalty notice.
The fine is £160 per parent per child. If you pay within 21 days, it is reduced to £80 per parent per child.
- You must pay within 28 days to avoid prosecution and a criminal record
- You cannot pay in instalments
- You can pay with a debit or credit card
Reasons for penalty notices
- Holidays during term time – 10 sessions (5 school days) or more. They do not need to be consecutive
- Unauthorised absences – 10 sessions (5 school days) within 10 school weeks
- Unauthorised lateness – if a pupil arrives at school after the register has closed 10 times in 10 school weeks
- A mix of unauthorised absence and lateness
- An excluded pupil is in a public place without a good reason during the school day
Advice
You cannot appeal against a fine.
If you think the fine is wrong, talk to the school. If they do not change their mind, you will have to pay the fine.
Contact the Team Around the School and Setting (TASS, formerly ESBAS) as soon as possible, if you:
- can’t pay
- have a warning letter and need advice, or
- if you need help with your child’s attendance
More information
- Penalty Notice: Code of Conduct [564.4 KB] [docx]
- Withdrawal from Learning Application [36.3 KB] [docx]
