27/04/2024

Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance are Changing! Here’s what you need to know.

We all know about the benefits of taking our children out of school from time to time.

But if you’re thinking of doing it next academic year, think again. The fines are increasing and could end up in £2500 fines. Per child, per parent!!

Here’s the details:

With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the following changes will come into force for Penalty Notice Fines issued after 19ª August 2024.

Per Parent, Per Child:

Penalty Notice Fines will now be issued to each parent, for each child that was absent.

For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave, would result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines. (6 in total).

5 consecutive days of term time leave:

Penalty Notice Fines will be issued for Term Time Leave of 5 or more consecutive days. Inset training days are school days and can be included in the 5 or more consecutive days where there was intent to be absent for term time leave.

10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period:

Penalty Notice Fines will be considered when there has been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10 week period.

First Offence:

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular Attendance the amount will be:

£160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.

Second Offence: (Within 3 years)

The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance the amount will be:

£160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.

Third Offence and Any Further Offences: (Within 3 years)

The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case wil be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court. Magistrates’ fines can be up to £2500 per parent, per child. Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate, due to ‘failure to safeguard a child’s education.’

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