We issue penalty notices to parents if their child has missed school without permission. The school generally requests this.

When we might issue a penalty notice

  • The pupil must have at least 15 half days of unauthorised absence in the current and / or previous term.
  • The school must have sent you a formal warning.
  • The school, academy, police or attendance improvement officer considers that issuing a penalty notice could stop any more absences.
  • Issuing a penalty notice does not conflict with any legal action being taken.


Cost of a penalty notice

£60 – if paid within 21 days.

£120 – if paid between 21 and 28 days.


If you don't pay the penalty notice in the given time, we will prosecute you (if we haven't withdrawn the notice).

If you get a notice about more than 1 child

Penalty notices apply to each child individually. If you get a penalty notice for more than 1 child, you have to pay each penalty.

If both parents get a notice about the same child

If the offence is about 1 child and both parents are sent penalty notices, each parent needs to pay the penalty. For example, 2 lots of £60 if paid within 21 days.


How to pay

Pay by debit or credit card

Call 01992 555407 or 01992 555408 and follow the instructions on the penalty notice.

 

Pay by cheque or postal order

Make payable to "Hertfordshire County Council" and send to:

Hertfordshire County Council
Room 134
CHO 136
County Hall
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8DF


 

Code of conduct

All penalty notices must follow our code of conduct. We make sure that every case is treated consistently and fairly.

You can't appeal once a penalty notice has been issued. We might withdraw a notice if it's been issued by mistake.