Term Time Leave and Fines – Information for Parents
When can a child be absent from school?
By law, children must attend school every day unless one of the following applies:
- They are too ill to attend
- The school has agreed an absence in advance due to exceptional circumstances
- The absence is for a recognised religious observance
- There are agreed transport issues arranged by the local authority
Holidays during term time are not considered exceptional circumstances and are usually recorded as unauthorised.
What counts as unauthorised absence?
If a child is absent without the school’s permission, the absence is classed as unauthorised.
This includes:
- Family holidays taken during term time
- Arriving late after the register has closed
- Absences where no valid reason is provided
Bradford Council has a legal duty to take action where unauthorised absence occurs.
Penalty Notices (Fines) – What parents need to know
When will a fine be considered?
A Penalty Notice must be considered when a child has:
- 10 unauthorised sessions (the equivalent of 5 school days) within a rolling 10‑week period
These sessions do not need to be consecutive. A term‑time holiday of 5 consecutive days automatically meets this threshold.
How much is the fine?
Penalty Notices are issued per parent, per child.
First offence
- £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days
- £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days
Second offence (within 3 years)
- £160 per parent, per child
- No reduced rate available
Third offence (within 3 years)
- A Penalty Notice will not be issued
- The case may be referred directly to court
If prosecuted, the court may issue:
- A fine of up to £2,500
- A parenting order or community order
- In extreme cases, a prison sentence of up to 3 months
Important information for families
- Each parent can receive up to two fines per child within a three‑year period
- If a fine is not paid on time, Bradford Council must consider prosecution
- Notice to Improve warnings do not apply to term‑time holidays — fines are issued directly
- Money raised from fines is used to cover attendance processes and provide support services. The money is not used in schools.