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 if paid within 28 days, this is 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 to be paid within 28 days, no reduced rate will be offered

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 will be presented straight to the Magistrates Court, Magistrates fines can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child. Cases found guilty in Magistrates Court can show on a parents future DBS certificate, due to failure to safeguard a childs education.

10 sessions (5 days) 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

The following changes will come into force for Penalty Notice fines issued after 19 August 2024