Find out why school attendance is important, and where to get support with attending school.
The lessons your child learns at school go far beyond academics. The friendships they build, the challenges they work through, and their everyday experiences teach them skills for life.
School is where children:
We know getting your child to school isn't always easy. But encouraging them to go, even during difficult moments, builds their resilience and can be rewarding.
When children attend regularly, they're more likely to feel connected to their school community and their peers.
Your child’s future starts at school.
Data shows that pupils with more than 95% attendance achieve better GCSE results.
Missing 2 days of school each month means missing 3 weeks during a school year, and even 90% attendance means 19 days of education are lost in a school year.
| Attendance of: | Means this many days absent: | Which means this many lessons missed: |
|---|---|---|
| 95% | 9 | 50 |
| 90% | 19 | 100 |
| 85% | 29 | 150 |
| 80% | 38 | 200 |
But being at school is about much more than academic success, It’s also a way of:
We understand that in some cases, children and young people may struggle to attend school. There are many reasons why young people may not be attending school regularly, but the most important step to take is to remain in contact with your child’s school.
Find out when your child can and can't miss school.
There are a wide range of resources available which can help support and guide parents, carers and families if their child is struggling with school attendance.
The law requires that all children of compulsory school age receive full-time education. Where a child is enrolled at a school, parents and carers are responsible for making sure that their child attends school regularly.
As a parent or carer, you play the most important role in your child's education and in supporting their attendance.
From starting nursery, parents should teach their children the importance of going to school on time every day. Where there are difficulties, parents should speak to the child's school at the earliest opportunity.
We understand that in some cases, children and young people may struggle to attend school. There are many reasons why young people may not be attending school regularly, but the most important step to take is to remain in contact with your child’s school.
Schools have support available and want to work in partnership with you. Information on who you can contact for help, including the school’s senior leader responsible for attendance, can be found in the school’s attendance policy on its website.
You can read government guidance on:
There are a wide range of resources available which can help support and guide parents, carers and families if their child is struggling with school attendance.