Bath & North East Somerset Council - Attendance

Attendance - Advice for Parents

Advice for Parents

What can you do to support your child's attendance?

Make sure your child understands how important it is to attend school regularly and that you do not approve of him or her missing school.
Take an active interest in your child’s schoolwork. Ask them about their day, and praise and encourage their achievements at school.
If your child tells you they are bored with school ask to meet with their teachers.
If your child makes excuses to try to avoid going to school, listen to them - you may find there is an underlying problem. It could be problems with schoolwork – it could be bullying.
Make sure that your child gets to school on time. Arriving late can be disruptive for your child and the other children in the class.

Absences

There may be times when your child has to miss school:

If your child is ill, contact the school on the first day of your child's illness. Staff will be concerned if they do not hear anything.
If your child is ever off school, you must tell the school why. Do this by following the arrangements made by the school.
If you want permission for your child to miss school for a special occasion such as a wedding, you should ask for permission well in advance and give full details.

Do not expect the school to authorise every absence. Shopping trips during school hours, days off for birthdays or looking after sick relatives are all examples of unacceptable reasons for absence.

Truancy

Signs that your child may be truanting

not having any homework
not talking about school
not bringing you any school letters or information
having a knowledge of daytime TV
never taking equipment to school (PE)
putting a change of clothing in school bag
asking you what time you will be home
forming friendships with other young people you suspect of not attending school
attempting to keep you away from school events.

If you suspect that your child may be missing school or is unhappy at school, you should contact the school as soon as possible so that you can work with them to resolve any difficulties.You can also contact the Children Missing Education Service if you need further advice or support.