Attendance

The Department for Education (DfE) has introduced significant changes to their guidance ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’, and whilst the majority of these changes are primarily related to policies and procedures within schools and local authorities, there are several important changes that will impact our families.

Changes to Penalty Notices for Non School Attendance The Department for Education (DfE) have introduced a new National Framework for Penalty Notices on 19 August 2024:

First Offence: The first time a penalty notice is issued for term time leave of absence or unauthorised absences the amount has increased to: £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days of being issued, this amount is reduced to £80 if paid within the first 21 days of being issued. 

Second Offence If a second penalty notice is issued for term time leave of absence or unauthorised absence within a three year period, there will not be a discount for early payment. The penalty notice is payable at the full amount of £160 within 28 days of the date of being issued. 

Third Offence Any Further Offences Within a Three Year Period If there is a third instance of term time leave of absence or unauthorised absence, a penalty notice will not be issued. Any further cases will be referred directly to the Magistrates’ Court for prosecution. Magistrates can impose a fine of up to £2500 per parent, per child.