School attendance

Introduction

Good school attendance gives children the opportunity of success and helps develop skills for life. All children should attend school every day unless there is an unavoidable cause like illness.

Missing school damages a pupil’s learning and their grades, disrupts routines and can make pupils vulnerable to crime. Pupils should never miss school for reasons like shopping, birthdays or to wait in for a repair person.

Parents/carers commit an offence if a child doesn’t attend school regularly and the absence is not agreed by the school.

This section contains guidance for teachers, parents and carers on legal requirements and powers around attendance, and help for getting children to attend school more regularly.

Useful websites

Behaviour and attendance
This section contains information to help schools understand their overall legal powers and duties for disciplining pupils and guidance on establishing a school behaviour policy.

Anti-bullying alliance
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) was founded by NSPCC and National Children's Bureau in 2002. it is hosted and supported by NCB. The Alliance brings together 65 organisations into one network with the aim of reducing bullying and creating safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.

Behaviour UK
Behaviour UK has developed software with a cognitive & reflective approach for pupils to address their behaviour. The Interactive Conduct File (ICF) is an easy to use, rich multi-media package designed to assist & address groups' & individual pupils' needs. Ideal as mediation or as a positive sanction.

DfES bullying website
This web site is intended to show pupils, their families and teachers how to tackle bullying.

Behaviour 4 learning network
This Network, or IPRN has been established by the TTA to provide online resources for tutors and their trainees.  Eight ITT providers will initially develop resources which will extend and enhance the:

• Knowledge base in behaviour management via subject specialisms in ITT
• Range of ITT resources and positive approaches on classroom organisation and management
• Status of ITT research in behaviour for learning
• Links with DCSF National Primary and KS 3 & 4 Behaviour and Attendance Strategies

SEAL-It anti-bullying newsletters

• SEAL-IT - Issue 4 (pdf, 313 KB) (opens new window)
• SEAL-IT - Issue 3 (pdf, 313 KB) (opens new window)
• SEAL-IT - Issue 2 (pdf, 188 KB) (opens new window)
• SEAL-IT - Issue 1 (pdf, 137 KB) (opens new window)