Pay a school penalty notice

If your child misses school without a good reason, the headteacher can ask us to issue you with a penalty notice.

Anyone who is a parent of the child (as defined by the Education Act 1996) will receive a penalty notice for £160. If it's the first time you've been issued a penalty notice, you only have to pay £80 if you pay within 21 days.

If you do not pay the penalty after 28 days you may be prosecuted.

Ways to pay

Online

To pay your penalty notice you’ll need:

  • the reference number from your penalty notice letter
  • your child's name
  • the name of your child's school
  • a credit or debit card.

Pay your school penalty notice

Bank transfer

You can pay through your banking app using the details below. Make sure you enter the reference number from your penalty notice letter as the reference. You’ll need to make a separate payment for each penalty notice.

  • Account name: KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Account number: 00100013
  • Sort code: 60−60−08.

By phone

Our Cashiers Team can take payments by debit or credit card over the phone.

Call 03000 41 28 00, (option 2, then option 1), Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4:30pm and have the reference number from your penalty notice letter and your debit or credit card to hand. Sometimes, the lines are very busy and there may be a wait to be connected.

Other ways to pay

Email attendance.enforcement@kent.gov.uk if you are unable to pay using any of the above methods.

Do not visit our offices as payment cannot be made in person.