Schools can issue penalty notices
To tackle poor attendance and behaviour in schools, local authorities (LAs) and all schools have legal powers to use:
- Parenting contracts
- Parenting orders
- Penalty notices
Penalty notices are an alternative to prosecuting parents for failing to make sure their children attend school.
Penalty notices are fines that can be issued by:
- A headteacher
- A deputy or assistant head authorised by the headteacher
- An LA officer
- The police
They can be used when:
- A pupil’s absence has not been authorised by the school; or
- Parents allow their child to be present in a public place during school hours without reasonable justification during the first 5 days of a suspension or permanent exclusion
How much is a penalty notice?
The penalty is:
- £60 if paid within 21 days of receipt
- £120 if paid after 21 days, but within 28 days
All of the above is explained on pages 4,