Warning regarding Penalty Notices

January 2010

Lambeth Local Education Authority issues Penalty Notices. The Elmgreen School would like to help you avoid them as we are fully aware of the stress they have cause to families who receive them.

Parents/ carers of students with unauthorised absence from school (i.e. absence that the school has not authorised) may be subject to a fine known as a Penalty Notice. Penalty Notices may also be issued without warning where families take holiday in term time.

Should your child have 10 days unauthorised absence within a three month period, a penalty notice may be issued.

The fine amount is £50 within the first 28 days, if unpaid this will rise to £100 up to the 42nd day. Should the fine remain unpaid after the final deadline has passed parents/ carers are liable for prosecution in the Courts with the possibility of a fine of up to £2500 and/or 3 months imprisonment. It should also be noted that arrest warrants will be requested when parents/ carers fail to attend Court when instructed to do so.

The Elmgreen School authorises each absence on a case by case basis using guidelines from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and advised by a Lambeth Educational Welfare Officer. We are directed not to authorise more than 3 days of sickness per year without medical evidence. Such evidence may include appointment cards or letters, prescriptions, receipts for medicines.

To avoid the possibility of receiving a fine, please make sure that your child attends school regularly and on time. If your child does have to be absent please ensure that the school office is kept fully aware of the circumstances. If a student misses school for an unacceptable reason or has a lot of absence due to sickness the school is required to notify the Local Education Authority.


Andrew Marsh

Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for attendance