Pay a school absence fine

If you get a fine, called a fixed penalty notice, because your child missed school you can pay it online.

Pay online

If you got a fine because your child was absent from school you can pay the fine online. 

The council will send you a letter explaining why you got the fine, amount you need to pay and how to pay.

Reasons for getting a fine

You can get a fine if:

  • you take your child on holiday during a school term
  • your child chooses not to go to school, this is called truancy
  • your child arrives to school late, after registration has closed, 6 or more times (6 half day morning or afternoon sessions) within 6 school weeks
  • your child misses school for 3 or more days (6 half day morning or afternoon sessions) within a school term

How much you need to pay and when

Each parent or carer has to pay £60 for each child that was absent. You have 21 days to pay the fine.

If you don’t pay within 21 days the fine will double and go up to £120. You will have 7 days to pay.

If you don't agree with the fine

You can't appeal this type of fixed penalty notice. We can withdraw a fine if it wasn't issued in line with our code of conduct for issuing school absence fines.

If you have evidence that a fine was incorrectly issued, please contact us as soon as possible. Make sure you get in touch before the 28-day deadline mentioned in the fine.

If you don't pay the fine

If you don’t pay the fine within 28 days of receiving it you may be taken to court.

You could get a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a prison sentence of up to 3 months.

More information

Email our Access to Education Team at attendanceteam@brighton-hove.gov.uk for help and advice.

Read our code of conduct for issuing school absence fines.

Go to GOV.UK for more information about what happens if your child misses school.