Attendance
The law
Every day of school helps your child enjoy and achieve. Good attendance provides better chances and more choices. The law states all children who are aged between 5 and 16 years are entitled to an appropriate, full time education (from the term after their 5th birthday until the last Friday in June of the year in which they become 16 years old). Parents and carers are responsible for making sure that their children regularly attend school.
Why is school attendance important for my child?
* Most parents want their children to be happy and achieve.
* It is more important than ever for children to have a good education, to have choices and opportunities in adult life.
* Children only get one chance at school, and your child’s chances of a successful future may be affected if they are not attending school regularly.
* Research shows that some young people who regularly miss school can be drawn into anti social behaviour or crime.
Why is it my responsibility to ensure my child attends school?
* As a parent/carer you are committing an offence if you fail to ensure your child attends school regularly.
* Failure to secure your child’s regular school attendance can result in your prosecution.
* Prosecution can be through the Magistrates Court under section 444(1/1A) of the Education Act 1996 or by issue of a Penalty Notice under Section 23 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003. There is no statutory right of appeal against the issuing of a penalty notice and penalty notices are issues to each parent/carer of each child and any person identified as having responsibility for ensuring the child attends regularly.
Remember
A 90% attendance means your child is absent from school for the equivalent of half a day per week, missing up to 3 hours of lessons a week, which equates to approximately 100 hours of learning per year!