The Law
⚖️ Legal Reminder
Under Section 444 of the Education Act, parents have a legal duty to ensure their child attends school regularly. If you’re struggling with attendance or punctuality, please reach out—we’re here to help.
📞 Contact our Attendance Team: 01902 556486
Penalty Notice
In Wolverhampton, parents face fines for a child's unauthorized absence from school, with penalties starting at £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid between days 22 and 28. This first offense fine doubles to £160 for a second offense within three years, with further offenses potentially leading to prosecution. Fines are issued by the Wolverhampton Council and are applied to term-time holidays or other unapproved absences that result in 10 or more missed sessions (5 days).
The Fine Structure (National Framework)
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First Offense: £80 per parent, per child (paid within 21 days), or £160 (paid within 28 days).
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Second Offense: £160 per parent, per child, paid within 28 days.
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Subsequent Offenses: May lead to legal action, including prosecution, which could result in a fine of up to £2,500.
When Fines Are Issued
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Unauthorised Absences: Fines are issued for absences that are not considered reasonable by the school and for which no "leave" has been given.
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Term-Time Holidays: Taking a holiday during term time without prior approval from the head teacher is a common reason for a fine.
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Threshold for Fines: The threshold for issuing a penalty notice is typically when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorized reasons.
Who Can Be Fined
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Per Parent, Per Child: The fine is issued to each parent who allows their child's unauthorized absence.
How to Avoid Fines
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Seek Prior Approval: All holidays or leave in term time must be agreed upon with the head teacher before the absence is taken.
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Contact the School: If there's a genuine reason for your child's absence, discuss it with the school immediately