Supporting Your Child's Attendance
Children need your support and encouragement to get the best out of their education. This includes showing an interest in their work, providing time and space for them to do their homework and meeting regularly with their teachers
If your child is educated at a school, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure their attendance is as good as possible. The law requires you to send your child to school full-time, unless there are "unavoidable" reasons why they cannot go. It is an offence for parents not to make sure their child is in school whenever possible.
Every absence from school has to be classed by the school as either:
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Authorised absence
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Unauthorised absence
Authorised absences are mornings or afternoons away from school for a good reason: illness and other "unavoidable causes"
Unauthorised absences are those, which the school does not consider reasonable and for which no "leave" has been given. This includes keeping children off school unnecessarily, truancy, absences which have never been properly explained and children who arrive at school too late to get a mark.
If your child is not at school, he/she is missing out. Every day is important.
If your child isn't fit for school or has to be away for a good reason, tell the school as soon as possible. Make sure your child takes a note from you on the day they go back.
The school can grant "leave" for "exceptional" circumstances, such as a family bereavement or wedding, but not for trivial reasons like shopping or a birthday. Children should not be kept off school to look after younger children in an unavoidable emergency.
Your child should be at school on time, ready for the register to be called. If your child has a doctor's or dentist's appointment, tell the school beforehand so they know what time to expect them. Your child can still be given a present mark as long as they go for as much of the session as possible.
If your child is late for no good reason, that counts as unauthorised absence
Your school may grant up to 10 days leave in a school year as authorised absence for an annual family holiday. However, all leave is at the discretion of the headteacher. It is not an automatic entitlement. If you wish to take your child out of school in term time, you must ask in advance and the school will advise you of it's policy and procedure.
If you are intending to leave the country with your child for an extended period, discuss with the school whether this will be classified as absence or whether you will need to re-enroll your child at school when you return.
Some children are reluctant to attend school, or look to their parents to provide them with an excuse. Never give in to pressure to let a child stay off school. It may make things worse.
If you are experiencing problems, talk to your child's teachers as soon as possible. Don't wait until things get desperate. Most problems can be resolved once the school knows about them.
If the problems are in school, like bullying or study difficulties, letting your child stay away will only make things more stressful later. School can often offer practical ideas to help make things better-but they can't do anything if you don't talk to them and encourage your child to do the same.
If your child is not at school when they should be, the staff should be in touch with you. But it may take a day or two for them to pick up that your child is not ill. If you have any doubts, ring the school yourself to check that they have arrived.
Watch for any warning signs, like a child who seems to know all about daytime TV or who is keen to get to the post before you do! Don't panic or threaten your child. Show them that you care, that you want to sort the problem out and that they won't get away with it! Sometimes children are just testing to see if anyone notices.
Staff at your school will help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
If your child's attendance problems can't be resolved easily, your school may ask for help from the Education Welfare Officer. They are independent of the school and you can contact them yourself if you prefer. They are responsible for making sure that parents fulfil their legal duty, if necessary through court action, but they will offer you all possible help in resolving problems by agreement.
Contact the nearest Education Welfare Office for the area where your child goes to school. It is best to phone early in the day if possible. At other times you may have to leave a message.
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Newcastle and Moorlands (01782) 297575
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Stafford and South Staffs (01785) 356876
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Lichfield and Cannock (01543) 512073
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Burton and Tamworth (01283) 239078
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