Why attendance matters

We want all our children and young people to realise their full potential. Excellent attendance at school is important to allow your child to fulfil their potential and for them to have the best start and brighter future. Below are just some of the key reasons why it is so important children attend school:

• To have fun and opportunities to experience new things.
• To develop new skills for learning, skills for work and skills for life.
• To understand responsibility.
• To make new friends and build positive relationships.
• To develop awareness of other cultures, religions, ethnicity, and gender difference.
• To celebrate achievements with friends and peers.
• To attain in curricular pathways.
• To build confidence, self-esteem and resilience.
• To grow as individual.

Is it ever alright for my child to be off school?

Your child can be off school if:

• They are ill.
• They are attending a doctor or hospital appointment.
• They are going to a meeting about a Children’s Hearing or court, or if they are going to a Children’s Hearing, case review or court.
• If they are involved in an activity and the school agrees in advance.
• Someone close to your child has died.
• There is a crisis or serious difficulty at home or in your family.
• They are going to a religious ceremony or a wedding of someone very close to them.
• You are a Gypsy/Traveller family and while you go travelling you keep in touch with your child’s teacher.
• Your family is returning to a country of origin for cultural reasons or to care for a relative.

As long as you have informed the school of the reason why your child is off, and the school is satisfied that this is a valid reason, these would be called authorised absences. However this is still recorded as an absence for your child.

How you can help?

• Build routines: A consistent start and end to the day helps your child feel ready for school. Breakfast clubs and Future Fridays can support this.
• Plan ahead: Try to book non-urgent appointments outside school hours. If one falls during the day, aim to return your child to school afterwards.
• Stay connected: Keep in touch with the school. Staff, including the Head Teacher and Cluster Integration and Improvement Lead (CIIL) are there to support you.
• Report absences: Always let the school know if your child is off by phone, text, or email.

What should I do if my child is anxious or worried about going to school?

Your child has a right to an education and to be safe and happy at school. But sometimes children and young people can be anxious or worried about going to school due to many possible reasons.

You may think letting your child stay off school when they feel this way is the best option, however experience tells us it is better to talk to the school about this as soon as you can. Longer absences makes it harder for your child to return.

Your child’s school staff are there to help. Your first point of contact should be the school. Staff in your child’s school and the Cluster Improvement and Integration Lead (CIIL) are keen to help and support you. If you are unsure who to talk to in the school, ask to speak to the Head Teacher.

Any child currently avoiding school is likely to become nervous when they are asked about their worries or returning to school.

These questions can help to start the conversation about feelings and fears.

• What are the three best things about school.
• Would you prefer to text, draw or write about it.
• What three things are you most worried about?

Support, information and advice

Help is also available from Parent Club to overcome barriers like anxiety, relationships and well-being, plus advice on how to work with your child’s school: Talking to your child’s school about attendance | Parent Club

There are several other agencies and services that can provide you with professional help and advice:

ParentLine Scotland is a free, confidential, service for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small.

Phone: 0808 800 2222

Parentzone provides information for parents and cares about how you can support your child’s education.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can provide information and support about rights and responsibilities when it comes to schools and education.

Enquire is the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning and operates a helpline for parents, carers and practitioners. An interpreter can be arranged upon request.

Telephone helpline: 0845 123 2303
Email: info@enquire.org.uk

ABEL is a voluntary organisation that developed out of the strong desire of parents to do something for themselves to overcome the devastating effects that bullying can have on children, their families and their community. ABEL offers information and support to the young person being bullied and their family and the young person displaying the bullying behaviour and their family.

The National Parent Forum of Scotland provides parents with information and advice on understanding the curriculum and supporting their child’s education. You also have the opportunity to sign up to take part in surveys to have your say in your child’s education.