Attendance/Absence
WHY IS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SO IMPORTANT?
Excellent attendance at school is important to allow your child to fulfil their potential and for them to have the best possible start in life.
Below are just some of the key reasons why it is so important for children to attend school:
To learn
To develop the resilience to cope with life’s challenges
To have fun and make new friends
To understand responsibility
To develop mental and physical wellbeing
To experience new things in life
To develop awareness and understanding of other cultures, religions, ethnicities and gender differences
To achieve
To gain qualifications
To develop new skills
To build self-confidence and self-esteem
To grow as individuals
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, case review or court
If they are involved in an activity and the school agrees in advance
Someone close to your child has passed away
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 themYou are a 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.
MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Be aware of the impact of regular absences – missing school is missing out
Take family holidays outside term time
Try to arrange non-urgent dental and medical appointments outside school hours, try to ensure your child is back to school as soon as possible
Establish a good routine in the mornings and evenings so your child is prepared for the school day ahead; build up good habits of punctuality and attendance
Be involved with your child’s education and school – ask questions
Inform the school if your child is absent due to illness or other reason
Discuss the problems or difficulties with the school: staff are there to help and will be supportive
If the school becomes concerned about attendance for a child in your care they will initiate East Lothian’s Staged Assessment Process. At the first instance (if attendance drops below 90%) an email will be sent to both the young person and their parent/carer to highlight the problem and give families an opportunity to address this. If attendance continues to be a concern, parents/carers will be invited into the school to discuss the problem and look at what support the young person and family need to get the young person into school.
It a young person’s attendance drops below 75%, in the first instance the families/carers will be invited into the school to take part in a Universal Wellbeing planning meeting to discuss the problem and look at what support the child and family need to get the young person into school. If attendance continues to be a concern at this level, a stage 2 multi-disciplinary meeting will be called. This meeting may include staff from social work, health and the police, all of whom can work with the family to address the issue
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 feel letting your child stay off school is an effective option, but unfortunately, this will not help find a solution. It’s important to talk to the school if this kind of problem arises.
Your first point of contact should be the school. However there are also a number of agencies and services that can provide you with professional help and advice.
SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND ADVICE
ParentLine Scotland
At some time all parents find that parenting can be difficult or stressful. ParentLine Scotland is the free, confidential, telephone helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small. Phone: 0808 800 2222. On line at: www.children1st.org.uk/parentline-scotland
Parentzone
Parentzone provides information for parents and cares about how you can support your child’s education. On line at: www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone
Childline
Children and young people can get confidential help about any question, concern or worry. Phone: 08001111. On line at: www.childline.org.uk
Citizen Advice Bureau
Your local CAB can provide information and support about rights and responsibilities when it comes to schools and education. Information and advice on lots of areas at: www.adviceguide.org.uk where you can also find your local CAB.
Enquire
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 Phone: 0845 123 2303. E-mail: info@enquire.org.uk On line at: www.enquire.org.uk
ABEL
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. Contact them through their website at www.antibullyingeastlothian.org.uk
National Parent Forum of Scotland
Provides parents with information and advice on understanding the new curriculum and supporting their child’s education. On line at: www.parentforumscotland.org