ATTENDANCE MATTERS: ATTENDANCE FACTS FOR ALL PARENTS AND CARERS

All pupils are expected to reach attendance levels of 95% and above to be able to access and achieve their potential at school.

Pupils only attend school for 190 days per academic year (this means that for the other 175 days they are at home with you!) In line with current recommendations holidays in term time are not allowed.

Persistent absence from school will be investigated by Education Welfare Service and fines could be implemented for each child to each parent.

WHAT ARE THE RULES ABOUT ATTENDANCE?

Parents and Carers have to make sure that their children aged 5 to 16 years receive full-time education and that these children attend school regularly. It’s the law!

Parents can be taken to court for breaking this law. (Section 199 of the Education Act 1993)

The policy from the Government also says: "Parents/ Carers should ensure that their children arrive at school on time, properly attired and in a condition to learn."

The Act also mentions that: “Parents / Carers need to see themselves as partners with schools in the education of their children. This includes making sure that pupils complete homework on time and that their children keep school rules behaviour”.

WHAT ABOUT ABSENCE?

It is the duty of a parent / Carer to contact school on the first day of absence to explain why their child is not in school. An absence for an unacceptable or unexplained reason will not be authorised and will appear on your child’s attendance record as un–authorised absence.

WHY DOES COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY MATTER?

Being absent from school makes it hard to catch up with missed work and effects how well children do. Together we can help your child to feel happy and be successful. Your child deserves a good education and all the opportunities that education can give to them in life.