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Unauthorised Absence from School

Schools have to record whether an absence is authorised or unauthorised in attendance registers and have to include your child s attendance record in his/her annual school report.

If you do not let the school know the reason for your child s absence it will be recorded as unauthorised and the school will investigate the absence and may involve the Education Welfare Service.

Some reasons given for absences, shopping during school hours for example, may be unacceptable to the school and these will also be recorded as unauthorised. If you need advice about authorised/unauthorised absences please contact your child's school or the Education Welfare Service on 01375 652569.

Lateness

Parents should ensure that their children arrive at school on time to prevent disruption to their own learning and that of others. Pupil lateness will be followed up by the school with the parent/carer. Serious lateness after the register has closed, will be recorded as unauthorised absence and may be referred to the Education Welfare Officer who could recommend prosecution of the parent for failing to ensure regular attendance.

Truancy

Children sometimes fail to attend school without the knowledge of their parents. Some truant for whole days, others register and then truant from lessons. For a few it can develop into a habit but with prompt action, understanding and care it can be prevented or cured.

The Reasons

There are several reasons why children truant:

• Fear of failure
• Problems with school work
• Boredom
• Problems outside of school
• Pressure from friends
• Teenage rebellion
• Bullying

Unauthorised absence

The signs

Your child:

• Claims to have no homework
• Attempts to keep you away from school events
• Has an interest in when you will be in or out of the house during the day
• Has a noticeable lack of interest in school
• Has a keenness to get to the post before you do to intercept letters from the school
• Has a detailed knowledge of day-time television
• Has friends who are known truants or much older and not at work
• Is reluctant to get up in the morning
• Has expressed anxieties about school generally or about specific lessons

The Solution

When parents and schools work together the risks of truancy are much lower.

• Talk to your child about school and what goes on there
• Take an interest in your child's work
• Keep in touch with school staff. Let them know when and why your child needs to be absent with reasonable justification
• Support the school all you can and take the opportunity to attend parent s evenings and other school events
• Be aware of signs that your child may be missing school without your approval
• Help your child to be ready to go to school on time
• Do not keep your child off school for unacceptable reasons
• Ask the school or the Education Welfare Service for help if you are having difficulty in getting your child to attend school

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