Education Act 1996

[F1444APenalty notice in respect of failure to secure regular attendance at school of registered pupilE+W

(1)Where an authorised officer has reason to believe—

(a)that a person has committed an offence under section 444(1), and

[F2(b)that the offence relates—

(i)to a relevant school in England,

(ii)in a case falling within subsection (1) of section 444ZA, to a place at which education is provided by a local education authority in England, or

(iii)in a case falling within subsection (2) of that section, to a place at which a child is required to attend by the appropriate authority (within the meaning of that section) for a relevant school in England,]

he may give the person a penalty notice in respect of the offence.

(2)A penalty notice is a notice offering a person the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence under section 444(1) to which the notice relates by payment of a penalty in accordance with the notice.

(3)Where a person is given a penalty notice, proceedings for the offence to which the notice relates (or an offence under section 444(1A) arising out of the same circumstances) may not be instituted before the end of such period as may be prescribed.

(4)Where a person is given a penalty notice, he cannot be convicted of the offence to which the notice relates (or an offence under section 444(1A) arising out of the same circumstances) if he pays a penalty in accordance with the notice.

(5)Penalties under this section shall be payable to local education authorities in England.

[F3(6)Sums received by a local education authority under this section may be used by the authority for the purposes of any of its functions which may be specified in regulations but, to the extent that they are not so used, must be paid in accordance with regulations to the Secretary of State.]]