Education penalty notices

4. The penalty procedure

The Education Penalty Notice system can be used where 10 unauthorised absences have been recorded against a pupil in any three month period.

The usual response to a “first offence” is a written Formal Warning. This allows a parent fifteen days to improve the attendance of their child. If an unauthorised absence occurs within that period an Education Penalty Notice will be issued.

In certain circumstances, including where the ten sessions of absence comprise of unauthorised holidays in term time, an Education Penalty Notice can be issued without a Formal Warning having been issued previously.

An Education Penalty Notice will also be issued without a Formal Warning if a Formal Warning has already been issued to the parent or carer within the previous twelve months.

Any Formal Warnings or Education Penalty Notices will be sent to each parent or carer by first class post to their usual or last known address.