Sanctions for Student Absenteeism are Increasing in England
The fines for parents who do not ensure their children attend school will be raised to improve attendance in education post-pandemic. The Department for Education emphasizes the need for higher fines to be applied if a student is absent from school for five days without permission. The new regulation introduces a penalty system with fines starting at £80, increasing to £160, replacing the previous system where fines began at £60 and rose to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
It is worth noting that in the 2022-23 academic year, approximately 400,000 penalty notices were issued across England to students who missed school without permission, representing a significant increase compared to the pre-pandemic period. According to government reports, 89.3% of fines were issued to families who took their children out of school for cheaper holidays during term time.
Municipalities are expected to follow official guidance to ensure the consistent and fair application of fines. These measures are aimed at reducing the number of pupils who frequently miss school. All state schools in England are required to share their daily attendance records with the Department for Education, councils, and academy trusts. A national framework is being developed to address inconsistencies in the use of penalties. This will enable schools to more effectively identify and support children who are persistently absent or at risk of dropping out of education.
“Attendance hubs” were introduced in 2021 to encourage schools with good attendance records to share their approach with leaders in similar schools, in order to improve attendance and strengthen the quality of education in England.