Code of conduct for issuing penalty notices for unauthorised absence from school

Last updated: 2 September 2024

The procedure for payment of penalty notices

  • arrangements for payment will be provided with the penalty notice.
  • payment of a penalty notice discharges the parent of liability for the attendance period in question. S/he cannot subsequently be prosecuted for the period covered by the penalty notice.
  • The penalty payment under a penalty notice if paid within 21 days is £80 and if paid after 21 days, but within 28 days, is £160.
  • the County Attendance Team will send a certificate of payment of penalty notice to the payee.
  • any revenue collected by Buckinghamshire Council from the penalty notice system is ringfenced to support its school attendance functions.