Attendance

Helping your child attend school

Here are some ways to help your child:

  • make sure they understand the importance of good attendance and punctuality
  • take an interest in their education by asking about school work and encouraging them
  • discuss any problems they may have, informing the school about anything serious
  • don't let them take time off school for minor ailments
  • arrange appointments and outings after school hours, at weekends or during school holidays

Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't expect the school to agree to your child going on holiday during term-time. Birthdays, shopping trips, looking after brothers and sisters, waiting in for a delivery, outings, visits to relatives and lack of school uniform aren't acceptable reasons for missing school.

If you're having difficulties ensuring that your child attends school regularly, talk directly to school staff who will do their best to help. If you child has attendance problems, the school should try to agree a plan to improve your child's attendance. If you don't follow the plan and things don't improve, the school will take further action.

To find out more information on school attendance and absence, visit the GOV.UK website.

Page last updated: 07 September 2017

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