Fixed Penalty Notices

Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for School Absence

September 2024

At Woolmer Hill School, we are committed to ensuring that every student receives the best possible education. A vital part of this commitment is regular school attendance. Following recent updates to the Department for Education (DfE) guidelines, we are writing to inform you of the implementation of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for unauthorised absences.

Department for Education Guidelines on Attendance

The DfE stipulates that every child of compulsory school age must attend school regularly. A student’s attendance is considered *regular* if they maintain at least 96% attendance throughout the academic year. Consistent attendance is essential, as it plays a key role in academic success, social development, and future opportunities.

The DfE has further advised that Fixed Penalty Notices may be issued by the Local Authority for unauthorised absences that meet specific criteria.

The Surrey Attendance Service, acting on behalf of Surrey County Council may issue a Penalty Notice as an alternative to the prosecution of a parent/carer for their child’s unauthorised absence from school and require the recipient to pay a fixed amount.

Circumstances when a Penalty Notice may be issued

1. Pupils identified by police and Surrey Attendance Advice Officers engaged on Truancy Patrols and who have incurred unauthorised absences
2. The Education (Pupil Registration)(England)(Amendment)Regulations 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher is required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.
3. Where a child is taken out of school for 10 sessions or more and the ‘leave of absence’ is without the authority of the head teacher, each parent is liable to receive a penalty notice for each child who is absent. In these circumstances, a warning will not be given where it can be shown that parents had previously been warned that such absences would not be authorised and that they will be liable to receive a Penalty Notice if the leave of absence is taken.
4. The issue of a Penalty Notice will also be considered where a pupil has incurred 10 or more unauthorised sessions during the preceding 10 school weeks.  The parents’ failure to engage with supportive measures proposed by the school will be a factor when considering the issue of a Penalty Notice. Unauthorised absence will include late arrival after the close of registration without good reason.  
5. Section 103 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 places a duty on parents to ensure that their child is not in a public place without justifiable cause during school hours when they are excluded from school.  This duty applies to the first five days of each exclusion.  Failure to do so will render the parent liable to a Penalty Notice. If the Penalty Notice is not paid, the recipient will be prosecuted for the offence under Section 103. Alternative education provision will be made from the sixth day of any exclusion and failure to attend such provision without good reason will be treated as unauthorised absence.

With the exception of unauthorised leave of absence taken in term time (Paragraph 2 above) parents will be sent a ‘Notice To Improve’ their child’s attendance, warning them of their liability to receive such a notice before it is issued.

Amount Payable Under a Penalty Notice: The Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

1.         If a parent/carer has not incurred a penalty notice relating to the relevant child/children since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

2.         If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

3.         If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.

Supporting Regular Attendance

We aim to work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure all students attend school regularly and punctually.

If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or require assistance, please contact our attendance officer, Mrs Parson, via email at dparson@woolmerhill.surrey.sch.uk. We are committed to providing support to address any issues and improve your child's attendance.