WHY IS ATTENDANCE IMPORTANT?

Being in school is important to your child’s academic achievement, wellbeing, and wider development.? There is evidence to suggest that regular school attendance is a key mechanism to support children and young people's educational, economic and social outcomes.

Schools can facilitate positive peer relationships, which is a contributes to better mental health and wellbeing. Attendance at school is crucial to prepare young people for successful transition to adulthood, and to support their longer term economic and social participation in society.

There is also evidence?that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A level results.

Research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and?secondary school?missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well. For example, data from 2019 shows that 84% of Key Stage 2 pupils who had 100% attendance achieved the expected standard, compared to 40% of pupils who were persistently absent across the key stage.


Academic Success


  • Better performance: Students with higher attendance rates are more likely to perform better in exams and achieve higher grades.
  • Less falling behind: Consistently attending school helps students keep up with routines, coursework, and classroom discussions, preventing them from falling behind.
  • Foundation for learning: Regular presence provides the best possible start in life and forms a strong foundation for their educational journey.


Social and Emotional Growth

  • Positive relationships: Attending school allows children to develop positive peer relationships, which contributes to their mental health and a sense of belonging.
  • Life skills: Interacting with diverse groups of peers helps students build social skills, emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience, vital for adult life.


Future Opportunities

  • Improved career prospects: Good attendance shows potential employers that a young person is reliable and responsible, which translates into better job prospects.
  • Economic benefits: Research indicates that pupils with poor attendance may earn significantly less in adulthood compared to those with near-perfect attendance.
  • Preparation for adulthood: Regular attendance is crucial for a smooth transition to adulthood, preparing young people for successful social and economic participation in society. 


Overall Well-being

  • Mental health: Regular attendance fosters positive mental health by building confidence and a sense of belonging within the school community.
  • Reduced risks: Students with high attendance are at a lower risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime.


WHAT HAPPENS IF ATTENDANCE DROPS?


If school attendance drops significantly, schools and local authorities intervene with a support-first approach to address barriers to attendance, which can include providing support for children with special educational needs (SEN) or offering help with practical issues like free school meals. If these measures are ineffective, or if absence is due to unauthorised leave like term-time holidays, parents may face legal action, including penalty fines or prosecution, resulting in fines and potentially imprisonment.


Immediate Actions & Support


Communication with the School: You are legally responsible for your child's attendance and should always notify the school of absences.

Support First: Schools and local authorities are obligated to try and understand the reasons for absence and provide support. This could involve:

  • Addressing school-based issues: Helping with friendship problems or other difficulties within the school environment.
  • Connecting with external agencies: Putting parents in touch with other services that can help.
  • Practical support: Offering advice on free school meals, uniform grants, or transport to school.
  • Education Welfare Officers (EWOs): Schools may refer the pupil to an EWO if attendance drops significantly, who can work with families and schools to find solutions.


Escalation & Legal Consequences

Persistent or Severe Absence: If attendance doesn't improve, especially if it is considered persistently absent (below 90%) or severe (below 50%), or for unauthorized leave, schools may take further action.

Penalty Notices: An alternative to prosecution is a penalty notice, a fine for parents for unauthorized absences.

Prosecution: If fines are not paid or if the absence is severe, parents can be prosecuted under the Education Act 1996.

Legal Penalties: Conviction for failing to ensure regular attendance can result in:

  • Fines of up to £2,500 per parent, per child.
  • Imprisonment for up to three months.
  • Other court orders, such as Parenting Orders or Community Orders.


Key Principle

All children of compulsory school age (5-16) must receive a suitable, full-time education. Failure to attend regularly without reasonable justification is an offence.


WHERE TO GET SUPPORT WITH YOUR CHILD’S ATTENDANCE

To get support for your child's attendance, contact their school first and then your local council, as they both have a responsibility to help and can provide access to a dedicated attendance team They can help identify and address barriers to attendance, such as issues with health, housing, or transport, and may involve other services and professionals to create a support plan.


Start with the School

  • Talk to the school: Contact your child's school to discuss the attendance problems. A senior leader responsible for attendance, or a dedicated member of staff, can meet with you and your child to explore the reasons for absence.
  • Understand the school's role: The school is responsible for working with you to overcome barriers that are within their remit, such as issues within the school environment itself.  


Contact Your Local Council

  • School attendance support team: Your local authority will have an attendance support team, who are there to help parents and schools improve attendance.
  • Access wider services: The school and local authority can help you access support from other services, such as the school nurse, or local housing and transport teams if your child's attendance problems are due to issues beyond the school's control.


What to Expect


  • Meeting to create a plan: The school and council should meet with you to discuss the issues and agree on a plan to improve your child's attendance.
  • Support for various challenges: Support can cover a range of issues, from establishing consistent routines at home to addressing health or family circumstances that make it difficult for your child to attend school.
  • Referral to other professionals: If needed, you may be referred to healthcare professionals or other council officers to address the root causes of the absence.

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