When children miss school for term time holidays, not only do they miss out on important learning but they often take time to settle back into their learning routines.
Fixed penalty fines, or Education Penalty Notices can be issued by the Local Authority where 10 or more sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence take place.
They are most commonly issued to parents when a child misses school for a term-time holiday taken without permission of the school.
- For the first fine issued after the start of the 2024-2025 school year, the fine will be £80 per parent/carer for each non-attending child if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
- If a second fine is issued within three years of the first, the fine will be £160 per parent/carer for each non-attending child.
No further fines can then be issued. If third or subsequent offences occur within a rolling 3 year period, the parent/carer is likely to be prosecuted by the Local Authority in the Magistrates’ Court.
It’s important that family holidays are planned in the school holidays and not in term time.