2024 School Term Time Absence Fines Updates for Blackpool / UK Parents
With Kids across Blackpool and the Fylde coast headed back to school this week – Parents should be aware that this school year the guidance on term time absence have changed across the UK – You might find that something that was kinda ok last year could land you in deeper water this year.
For a long time, school holiday fines have been unregulated; with some schools offering greater leniency for unauthorised absences, whilst others hand out fines for a single day of absence.
In an effort to improve school attendance, the government has put some new guidance in place.
From now on schools must consider action in the following circumstances for unauthorised absences:
An initial fine must be considered for absences of 5 full days or 10 sessions missed in a 10 week period. The first fine will be £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 after this time.
The second fine in a 3 year period will be £160. A third absence in 3 years will result in automatic court action, which we understand cannot be contested. This could carry a penalty of £2500, and a criminal record for parents.
These fines are per parent, per child. They also apply to everyone with parental responsibility and adults who act with responsibility for the child, so that could also mean step parents, guardians and grandparents if they live in the same household and have been named on school registration documents.
Always check with your child’s school before considering any fort of absence from school.
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