Penalty Notices

Exceptional Leave/Holiday Penalty Notice (HPN)

If a parent request leave from school during term time, school must send a letter to the parent(s) immediately before the leave is taken informing that the leave request has not been granted and any days taken off due to the leave will be unauthorised.  

If parent(s) do not notify the school prior to taking unauthorised leave, a letter should still be sent to seek the reasons for the leave prior to referring for a fine to be issued.

An example of an exceptional leave letter can be found in the Resources page: Letter Templates - Leap (hillingdon.gov.uk). 

The letter must also state that they are at risk of a fine. This is a fine of £120 per parent per child payable within 28 days. If paid within 21 days, it is reduced to £60 per parent per child. If the fine is not paid by the 28th day, then the parent(s) may be summoned to court.  

Please note, if a family takes further exceptional leave (unauthorised leave) within the academic year, the school can refer again with a request for the matter to be presented to the Magistrates Court, if this is stated in the schools attendance policy and you have discussed the case with your allocated Attendance Support Officer. Please use the checklist to assist when making a referral in the resources tab.