Penalty Notice Handbook

Circumstances in which a Penalty Notice may be issued

(1) Persistent unauthorised absence from school

  • persistent unauthorised absence of below 85% over a 6 week period. For leave taken during term time, where the absence has not been authorised by the school
  • for leave taken during term time, where an authorised leave has been taken but the child fails to return by the agreed date

(2) Persistent lateness following the close of the school register, i.e in cases where the U code is used

(3) Excluded Children

  • where a child has been excluded from school (fixed-term or permanent), and is found in a public place during school hours without reasonable justification within the first five days of the exclusion period

Last updated: 23 February 2023