Penalty Notices

Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday, whichever comes first. If your child’s fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.

Only children of compulsory school age fall within the scope of the penalty notice Code of Conduct.

You could be issued with a penalty notice if your child misses school without permission.

Legal action may be taken if a family goes on holiday during term time without the School's permission.

Reasons for penalty notices include:

• truancy
• unauthorised absence
• your child was identified during a school attendance and exclusion sweep
• holidays in term time without permission
• excluded pupils found in a public place during the first 5 days of exclusion

How much a penalty notice costs

Penalty fines cost:

• £80 per child, per parent, if you pay within 21 days
• £160 per child, per parent if you pay within 28 days

You could be prosecuted if you don’t pay the fine after 28 days.

Penalty notices are sent by post.

Fines are payable to Cornwall Council. All penalty notice fine payments are retained by Cornwall Council. They are used for the purposes of administering the local penalty notice scheme.

How to pay

You can pay by credit or debit card by by calling us on 01872 324201.

You will need your Penalty Notice Reference Number. You can find this on the letter notifying you of the penalty notice.

Withdrawal of a penalty notice

A penalty notice can only be withdrawn if it:

• contains errors
• is shown that it should not have been issued
• did not follow the Cornwall Code of Conduct for issuing penalty notices

Appeal a penalty notice

There is no right of appeal against a penalty notice. Contact your child's school if you think a penalty notice should not have been issued.

Legal action to enforce school attendance

We can take legal action against you if your child does not go to the school where they are registered

We have a duty to ensure registered pupils attend school regularly. If your child does not go to the school where they are registered, we can take legal action against you.