Clarity On The Council’s Position On Issuing Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) For A Holiday Taken During Term Time

Following the recent court ruling in response to the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for a holiday taken during term time, there have been many queries regarding term time absences. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In order to clarify the position for parents/carers, the position remains as follows; ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A FPN may be considered at the Headteacher’s discretion under the following circumstances; ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Where at least 10 sessions (5 school days) are lost due to any unauthorised absence during the current term. The days do not need to be consecutive.
• Where there are at least 10 sessions of persistent late arrival at school during the current term.

Failure to pay the FPN will result in the case being referred to the Legal Department. The case will then be considered for prosecution in the Magistrates Court under the Education Act 1996. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Full details of protocol and procedure can be obtained from your school or MTCBC’S Education Department. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​