School attendance guidance

For pupils to do well at school, they should attend school and be ready to learn.

Regular attendance at school is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life. Children who frequently miss school often fall behind.

There is a strong link between regular school attendance and achieving good educational outcomes including grades at GCSE.

The benefits of being in school go beyond exam results, attending school is also vital to a child’s wellbeing and development. When children miss school, it’s not just about missing lessons, it’s also about losing valuable moments spent with their friends and teachers.

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to a full-time education suitable to:

• their age
• their aptitude
• any special educational need they may have

It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school.

Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly.

A child must attend school every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill or being given permission for in advance from the school.

A pupil who misses 10% or more of school (equivalent of 1 day or more per fortnight) are less likely to attain their potential academically.

Missing school can also:

• cause anxiety about returning
• cause difficulties in maintaining friendships
• mean missing out on socialising and decline in general wellbeing

We know children may struggle to attend school for a wide range of reasons.

If the barriers to your child’s attendance are in school, then the school is responsible for working with you to help overcome the issues.

Information on who in school you can contact for help, including the school’s senior leader responsible for attendance, can be found in the school’s attendance policy on its website or from the school itself.