WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN NOT TO MISS SCHOOL?

It is more important than ever to have a good education behind you if you want opportunities in adult life. Children only get one chance at school, and your child’s chances of a successful future may be affected by not attending school or alternative provision regularly.

IF CHILDREN DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL REGULARLY THEY MAY:

struggle to keep up with school work. In a busy school day it is difficult for schools to find the extra time to help a child catch up.

miss out on the social side of school life – especially at primary school. Poor attendance can affect children’s ability to make and keep friendships; a vital part of growing up.

Setting good attendance patterns from an early age, from nursery classes through primary school, will also help your child later on. Employers want to recruit people who are reliable. So children who have a poor school attendance record may have less chance of getting a good job.

Being on time is also vital. Arriving late at school can be very disruptive for your child, the teacher, and the other children in the class.

WHAT IS AUTHORISED ABSENCE?

Of course there may be times when your child has to miss school because she or he is ill. This is to be expected and for the odd day off sick you should follow the school’s procedures for notifying illness. Children may also have to attend a medical or dental appointment in school time. However, you should try to make routine appointments such as dental check-ups during the school holidays or after school hours. Any absence must be requested as far in advance as possible. Absences can only be authorised by the school.

ATTENDANCE IN NUMBERS

100% attendance       Attending school every day!

95% attendance         9 days of absence

90% attendance         19 Days of Absence.

85% attendance         28 days of absence

80% attendance         38 days of absence.

more than half a term missed per year or 2 full years missed over the course of their school career.

75% attendance          46 days of absence

9 weeks and 1 day of learning missed.

Attendance figures are not like examination results: an attendance percentage needs to be in the high 90’s before it can be considered good.

AN EXAMPLE

Jane is in year 5.

Her attendance is around 90%.

She thinks this is fairly good, however….

  • 90% attendance means that she is absent from lessons for the equivalent of one half day every week.
  • If it stays at 90% in Year 5, she will miss the equivalent of one four whole weeks
  • If Jane then continues the pattern over the five years she will miss the equivalent of about one half of a school year.

What impact might this have on Jane’s life….?

Research suggests that:

  • 17 missed school days a year
  • = 1 GCSE grade
  • DROP in achievement.
  • (DfES)

Each year, a number of our students in every year group achieve 100% attendance records, showing that this is an achievable target.

In addition, a number of students have achieved this level of attendance in successive years.