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School Absence Fines and Attendance in the UK
In the UK, regular school attendance is a legal requirement for parents. Persistent unauthorised absences can result in a Penalty Notice (a fine) issued by the local authority or the school itself. The rules, fines, and thresholds differ across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This guide explains how fines are calculated and how to work out your child's attendance percentage.
What is a Penalty Notice?
A Penalty Notice is a fine issued to a parent or carer for their child's unauthorised absence from school. Unauthorised absence includes holidays taken during term time without the school's permission, persistent lateness, and truancy. Illness with a doctor's note or authorised leave is not counted towards the fine threshold.
How are Fines Calculated?
The calculation depends on your nation within the UK:
- England & Wales: A fine can be considered if a child accumulates 10 or more unauthorised sessions (half-days) in a 10-week period. The fine is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days, rising to £160 if paid later. These amounts are set by law.
- Scotland & Northern Ireland: There is no fixed national threshold. Schools and local authorities have discretion to issue fines based on their own policies. Typical fine amounts are similar (£80/£160), but this is not guaranteed.
The total fine multiplies the per-child, per-parent amount by the number of children involved and the number of parents liable. If you have already paid a fine in the same academic year, a second occurrence may lead to prosecution rather than another fine.
How is Attendance Percentage Calculated?
Schools measure attendance in sessions (morning and afternoon). The attendance percentage is the number of sessions attended divided by the total possible sessions, expressed as a percentage. For example, if there are 380 possible sessions in a year and a child is absent for 20 sessions (both authorised and unauthorised), their attendance is (380 - 20) / 380 * 100 = 94.7%.
Example Calculation
A family in England has one child. In a term with 190 possible sessions, the child has 12 unauthorised sessions and 5 authorised sessions due to illness. The unauthorised absences (12) exceed the common threshold of 10. Both parents are liable. The initial fine would be £80 x 1 child x 2 parents = £160. If paid after 28 days, it becomes £320. The child's total absences are 17 sessions, so their attendance percentage for the term is (190 - 17) / 190 * 100 = 91.1%.
What to Do Next
If you need to request an authorised absence, such as for a medical appointment or a special circumstance, you should formally notify the school. Using a School Absence Request form ensures you provide all necessary details, including dates, reasons, and your contact information. This creates a clear record and helps avoid misunderstandings that could lead to unauthorised marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fined for taking my child on holiday during term time?
Yes, if the school does not authorise the absence. Term-time holidays are typically not authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What counts as an unauthorised absence?
Any absence that the school has not given permission for. This includes truancy, lateness after the register closes, and holidays without approval.
Does the fine apply to all my children?
Yes, if multiple children have unauthorised absences, the fine is calculated per child.
What happens if I don't pay the fine?
If unpaid, the local authority may prosecute you in the magistrates' court, where you could face a much larger fine (up to £2,500 per parent) and a criminal record.