Welcome back to school Bucks!

As pupils across Buckinghamshire get ready to return to school this week, Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging parents and carers to explore the support available to help children attend school regularly. Good attendance plays a vital role in children's learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities – and help is at hand for families who may be facing challenges.

Evidence shows that good attendance rates are key to a child or young person’s success at school. Since the Covid pandemic, attendance at school has decreased significantly in Buckinghamshire, in line with figures across the rest of the country. While all children miss some days of school for reasons such as illness, keeping your child home from school when they are well enough to attend or taking them out of school during term time to go on holiday can be detrimental to their future achievement and long-term success.

Jilly Jordan is Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services. She said: “We all want the best for our children and school attendance is important. School isn’t just about academic learning but is also key for social, physical and psychological development. We know that for some families, school attendance can be challenging but we want to let parents and carers know that they aren’t alone, we want to help you to help your children to get the most out of school, to give them the solid foundations to achieve in life.”

The council’s Present for their Future campaign signposts parents and carers to a variety of support and advice to help children with school attendance. From free online courses to websites and access to specialist teams, the campaign provides information for parents and carers as well as young people themselves on issues relating to bullying, mental health, anxiety and much more.

While the campaign focuses on the benefits of attending school as much as possible, consideration is given to those with special educational needs and disabilities who may face additional challenges.

Jilly explained: “We know that mainstream school is not always the right place for every child and those with additional needs may require extra support. We understand the pressures parents face, and this is not about us telling you what you should do. It is more about us working with you to help you access the help and assistance needed to support your child in their education.”

For more information visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/campaign/present-for-their-future

To find more information on support for those with special educational needs and disabilities visit: Bucks SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service