How much is the fine for taking a child out of school?

Key deadlines

• Pay within 21 days: the fine is £80.
• Pay after 21 days but within 28 days: the fine is £160.
• Not paid within 28 days: you may be taken to court for keeping your child out of school.

How the fines work

Fines are formally called penalty notices. Your local council issues them. Each parent can get a fine, and they are counted for each child.

This limit of 2 fines for the same child in 3 years has applied since the 2024 to 2025 school year.

Example: two parents take one child on a term-time holiday and each gets a first fine. If both pay within 21 days, the household pays £160 (2 x £80). If both pay late, it is £320 (2 x £160).

When your child can miss school

You can only let your child miss school if:

• they are too ill to go in, or
• you have permission from the school in advance

A holiday is not usually treated as an exceptional circumstance. Ask the school in advance for any other absence. The school looks at each request on its own facts.

If you think a fine is wrong

1. Read the notice carefully. Check the dates and the child's name.
2. Contact the council that sent it straight away. Ask what its rules are, as councils set out when they fine and how to pay.
3. Speak to the school. Ask whether the absence was recorded correctly, for example if your child was ill.
4. Keep copies of letters, medical notes and emails.

GOV.UK does not set out a formal appeal route for these fines. If you do not pay and are taken to court, you can explain your reasons there.

What to include when you contact the council

• Your name, your child's name and the notice reference.
• Why you think the absence should be authorised.
• Evidence, such as a doctor's note.

What happens in court

If prosecuted, you could get:

• a fine of up to £2,500
• a community order
• a prison sentence of up to 3 months
• a parenting order, which means going to parenting classes

The council can also use an education supervision order or a school attendance order.

Free help

Citizens Advice can give free advice. Your child's school may also offer support if your child is struggling to attend.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The amounts above are for England. The other nations have their own rules on school attendance, so check with your council or the school.

Related guides

• Can I home educate my child?
• When can I leave school?
• When do I apply for a school place?
• Can my child get free school transport?

Where this comes from

• Legal action to enforce school attendance (GOV.UK)
• School attendance and absence (GOV.UK)