National Threshold

There will be a single consistent national threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered by all schools in England of 10 sessions (usually equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence.

Please note: The DfE does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance.

First Offence

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be:

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

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

Per Parent, Per Child

Penalty notices are issued per parent for each child that was absent.

For example: 2 siblings absent from school for term time leave would result in each parent receiving 2 separate fines                                                           

Second Offence (within 3 years)

The Second time a penalty notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be:

£160 per parent per child paid within 28 days.

No discount will be offered.  

Parent “who is a parent?”

Section 576 of the Education Act 1996 defines "parent" as:

• All natural (biological) parents whether thay are married or not.
• Any person who, although not a natural parent has responsibility for a child or young person.
• Any person who, although not a natural parent has care for a child or young person.

Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)

The third time an offence is committed a Penalty Notice will not be issued and the case could be presented straight to the Magistrate’s Court. Prosecution can result in Criminal records and fines of up to £2,500