IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS - Changes to the issue of Penalty Notices to address School Attendance.

Dear Parent,

THE EDUCATION (PENALTY NOTICES) (ENGLAND) (AMENDMENT)

REGULATIONS 2024 No. 210.

New legislation comes into force regarding the criteria and the issue of penalty notices to address school attendance to commence in Sunderland from September 2024.
The following changes have been made:

• the number of unauthorised absences to 10 unauthorised absences (5 days) in the most recent 10 school week period.
• the number of penalty notices that can be issued to a parent in respect of the same individual child to 2 within a 3-year period.
• It increases the amount of the penalty notice from £120 to £160 (if paid within 28 days) and £60 to £80 (if paid within 21 days) for the first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of the same individual child in a 3-year period.
• It sets the amount of any second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same individual child within 3 years of the date the first penalty notice was issued to £160 to be paid within 28 days. No discount is offered.
• Further absences will proceed for prosecution in the Magistrate Court for the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of the first penalty was issued.

For further information please see Sunderland City Council website page on school attendance:
https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/

Further information can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance