Penalty notice guidance issued

The provision for schools to issue penalty notices for student non-attendance has now been activated by regulations. However, local authorities have a responsibility for drawing up a code of conduct to ensure that there is no duplication of notices or that a penalty notice is not issued when court action is already being taken.

Schools intending to embark on this path are advised to liaise closely with the local authority to ensure that they work within the code of conduct.

The right to issue penalty notices is confined to the school where the pupil is registered. If a pupil is in theory, but not in practice, studying for a subject at your institution but is registered elsewhere then you may not issue a penalty notice for non-attendance at your institution for that subject.