Attendance

In March, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was increasing, we made clear no parent would be penalised or sanctioned for their child’s non-attendance at school.

Now the circumstances have changed and it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise as far as possible the longer-term impact of the pandemic on children’s education, wellbeing and wider development.

Missing out on more time in the classroom risks pupils falling further behind. Those with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well in both primary and secondary school. School attendance will therefore be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term. This means from that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, including:

• parents’ duty to secure that their child attends regularly at school where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age;
• schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence;
• the availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct.

We understand that you and your children may have concerns and may be reluctant or anxious about returning.

As we reopen, our first priority will be to support our children with this and our teaching and learning will initially be to listen to, discuss and overcome these concerns.  The more our children understand how they can keep themselves and others safe, the better it will be for everyone in our school community.  Being back at school will help our children understand how to keep safe in school and in wider public places.