Penalty Notice Change for Attendance
Wed 28 Jan 2026
January 2026
Subject: Update to Wakefield Penalty Notice rules for school attendance
Subject: Update to Wakefield Penalty Notice rules for school attendance
Dear Parent/Carer,
We are writing to let you know about an update to Wakefield Council’s Penalty Notice Policy for school attendance.
What is a Penalty Notice?
A penalty notice is a fine issued by the local authority when a child has unauthorised absences, and it asks parents to pay a set amount of money instead of the matter going to court. If unpaid, the matter can later go to court.
What has changed?
Wakefield Council can now issue a penalty notice earlier in some situations, even if the usual number of unauthorised days has not been reached.
This may happen if:
- A child has repeated unauthorised absences, even if they are fewer than 5 days.
- Unauthorised absence happens around INSET days or School holidays.
- A child has already received a penalty notice and further unauthorised absence occurs.
Each case will be looked at individually.
Longer unauthorised absences
If a child is absent for 20 school days or more due to unauthorised term-time leave, the Council may take legal action instead of issuing another fine.
What parents should know
- Term-time holidays are not usually authorised.
- Repeated unauthorised absence can lead to larger fines or prosecution.
- If you are planning to have an absence, please contact the academy.
Thank you for your support in helping children attend school regularly.
Yours sincerely,
Outwood Academy City Fields
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