The effect of absence on progress.

What can I do to make sure my child is going to school?

To make school a priority, there are things you can do at home, and things you can work alongside the school on.

• talk to your children about why it is important to go to school every day – ask them what they want to be in the future. Their education is the key to doing well in life
• be positive about school
• set good habits about going to school from day one
• prepare your children the night before for school – have they have done their homework, do they need to take anything along tomorrow?
• have a consistent good morning routine, so its not too rushed and they have time to get everything they need
• don't let them have the day off just because they would rather be at home
• don't keep them at home when you know that they are just nervous about school – talk to your child and talk to the school about how they are feeling
• check in regularly with your child, listen to what they are telling you or not telling you - this may make it easier to pick up on any worries they have
• keep family holidays outside of term-time, every day at school is an opportunity to build their knowledge and skills, and repetition is critical for learning – especially for primary school children
• don’t overload them – school may be exhausting for some children so make sure they have some downtime after school to relax and have a break.

Please talk to your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns about attendance.