School Attendance and Absence: Can I Be Fined If My Child Misses School?

Summary

Skipping school, bunking, doing a runner… whatever you used to call it in your schooldays, you probably weren’t that worried about the consequences for your parents. Now you’re a parent, the shoe is indeed on the other foot! In this article, we summarise the legal implications of school non-attendance enforcement and fines for parents. Stick with us to learn about fines, exceptions, and the importance of attendance for academic success. * How much you can be fined for your child skipping school * What other penalties are there for non-attendance? * Circumstances in which a child can miss school * What about holidays? * Consequences for not complying with a School Attendance Order * The rules for parents without parental responsibility Every moment in school adds up to your child’s overall education as well as the development of crucial social skills and experiences with children their age. Research shows that children with good attendance do better than those that regularly miss school. For this reason, and because schools are designed to get the very best out of your child, you can get fined when your child misses school without a valid reason or without the permission of the.

Key information

• •How much you can be fined for your child skipping school
• •What other penalties are there for non-attendance?
• •Circumstances in which a child can miss school
• •Consequences for not complying with a School Attendance Order
• •The rules for parents without parental responsibility
• •Apply for a Supervision Order – when the council is of the opinion that your child needs support to go to school and you’re not doing enough to facilitate this, they may apply to the family court for an Education Supervision Order. They are named Supervision Orders as when an order is granted, a supervisor will be appointed to help your child attend school. This penalty can be used in conjunction with prosecution or issued separately
• •Prosecute you – You’ll have to go to court. You may be fined, receive a community order or be jailed for up to three months. You may also receive a Parenting Order
• •Your child is too ill to go
• •You have permission from the headteacher for a holiday or religious observation
• •They have a medical appointment or dental appointment
• •The school is too far away from where they are living
• •They’re being educated elsewhere

Practical guidance

• •Source: [School Attendance and Absence: Can I Be Fined If My Child Misses School?](https://lawhive.co.uk/knowledge-hub/family/school-attendance-and-absence-can-i-be-fined)

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