Each parent or guardian who allowed the absence receives a separate fine per child.
The rolling window for counting repeat offences is three years from the date of the first fine.
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Total fine for your family
Reduced early-payment rate (within 21 days). Full rate: £320
10 sessions (5 days) meets or exceeds the 10-session threshold.
| Fine rate (first offence) | £160 per parent, per child |
| Number of parents / guardians | 2 |
| Number of children | 1 |
| Total fine (pay within 28 days) | £320 |
| Early payment discount (pay within 21 days) | £160 |
How the fine system works
The 10-session trigger
Schools record attendance in sessions: morning and afternoon count separately. A fine must be issued when a child accumulates 10 or more unauthorised sessions (5 days) in any rolling 10-week window.
Per parent, per child
Each parent or guardian who "allowed" the absence receives a separate fine for each child. Two parents with two children means four separate fines, which is why the total can quickly exceed £600.
The three-year record
A second offence within three years of the first fine carries a higher rate and no early-payment discount. A third offence bypasses fines entirely and goes straight to prosecution in the Magistrates' Court.
This calculator is based on the England National Framework for Penalty Notices (August 2024) and the Wales rules as of 2026. It is provided for guidance only. Fines are issued by local authorities and individual circumstances may vary. Always check the rules for your specific local authority. For the full detail, read our Parent's Guide to School Absence Fines.