Parents can be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice by the local authority for their child’s non-attendance, mums and dads across the country are being reminded.
Mums and dads face £160 fines for taking children out of school under strict penalties. Parents can be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice by the local authority for their child’s non-attendance, mums and dads across the country are being reminded.
The penalty is £80, which rises to £160 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days. Each local authority should publish a ‘Code of Conduct’ for Fixed Penalty Notices. Penalty notices are intended to prevent the need for court action and should only be used where it is deemed likely to change parental behaviour and support to secure regular attendance has been provided and has not worked or been engaged with, or would not have been appropriate in the circumstances of the offence.
There is no right of appeal against a Fixed Penalty Notice. The government explains: “You must make sure your child gets a full-time education that meets their needs (for example if they have special educational needs).
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“Children must get an education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16. You’ll be contacted by either the school – if your child is enrolled in school and does not turn up (even if they’re only absent for a day) or the council’s education welfare officer – if they think your child is not getting a suitable education at home.
“You can be prosecuted if you do not give your child an education. You’ll normally get warnings and offers of help from the local council first. You can only allow your child to miss school if either they’re too ill to go in or you have advance permission from the school.
There may be other exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school. Your school will consider each application and may let you take your child out of school. A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time.
Your child’s school can ask you for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of activities like school trips. They cannot stop your child from attending if you do not pay, but they should cancel the activity if there is not enough money to cover the cost of it.