We are working with our schools to improve attendance at school. If your child is ill or unable to attend school for some reason you should always contact the school on the first day of absence.

Visit the directgov website for more information about School attendance and absence: the law

All schools have an allocated Education Welfare Officer who: 

• work with schools to identify cause for concern
• may visit homes and talk to pupils/parents about the problem
• try to assist with a resolution and return to school 
• where an improvement is not achieved they have powers to prosecute parents for not ensuring that their children receive appropriate education at school or otherwise.

If you are a parent/carer and you are having problems getting your child to attend school please contact us.

Remember - whilst parents/carers can give explanations for absence, it is down to individual schools to authorise reasons given for absence.

• Regular school attendance has always been important and is a legal requirement for those registered at a school. Without it the efforts of the best teachers and schools will come to nothing. 
• Education provides a means of advancement for all young people to improve their life chances. 
• Pupils need to attend regularly if they are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.
• Irregular attendance undermines that educational process and leads to educational disadvantage. It places children at risk and in some cases it can result in pupils being drawn into patterns of anti social or criminal behaviour.