School is the best environment for pupils to learn in. Being surrounded by their peers and teachers helps to keep children safe, and supports them to reach their potential.
Why is school attendance important?
Being in school is important to your child’s academic achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. There is evidence and research to suggest that regular school attendance is a key mechanism to support children and young people’s educational, economic and social outcomes. School can facilitate positive peer relationships, which contributes to better mental health and wellbeing.
Attendance at school is crucial in preparing your child for their future beyond Park Hall Academy too! There is also evidence that pupils who have the highest attendance throughout their time at school gain the best GCSE and A level results.
What does it mean if a child is persistently or severely absent?
Children who are registered at a school but regularly fail to attend are officially referred to as being ‘persistently’ or ‘severely’ absent. The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as a morning or afternoon spent in school. Pupils who have missed more than 10% of school sessions are considered persistently absent, while children who have missed more than 50% of school sessions are referred to as severely absent.
What if my child needs to miss school?
Parents/ carers have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives a full time education. There are only a small number of circumstances where missing a day of school is permitted. Your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless:
- Your child is too ill to attend.
- You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on a specific day due to exceptional circumstances.
- Your child cannot go to school on a specific day because they are observing a religious event.
- Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it’s not available or has not been provided yet.
- Your child does not have a permanent address and you are required to travel for work. This exception only applies if your child attends their usual school or another school where you are staying as often as possible. This must be 200 half days or more a year if they are aged 6 or older.
These are the only circumstances where schools can permit your child to be absent.
