What is the school attendance issue in the UK?

In 2021/22, 22.5% of pupils were recorded as “persistently absent” (defined by the Department for Education as missing 10% or more of possible school sessions). This equates to around 1.6 million pupils. Some groups of pupils are more likely to be absent or persistently absent than others.

Why does attendance matter in school UK?

Attendance at school is crucial to prepare young people for successful transition to adulthood, and to support their longer term economic and social participation in society. There is also evidence that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A level results.

What are the barriers to school attendance in the UK?

These barriers often relate to unmet Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (diagnosed or suspected), physical or mental illness, bullying & assault, trauma, excessive academic pressure, overly strict behaviour policies, a missing sense of belonging, and an irrelevant curriculum.

What are the school attendance rules in the UK?

This means that a child must attend school on every day that the school requires him or her to do so and failure to do this may lead to the commission of an offence. There are 2 offences: 1. Section 444(1) Education Act 1996 – If the child is absent without authorisation then the parent is guilty of an offence.

What is the absence rate in schools in the UK?

By school type, the absence rates across the academic year 2023/24 to date were: 5.1% in state-funded primary schools (3.7% authorised and 1.4% unauthorised) 8.3% in state-funded secondary schools (5.2% authorised and 3.1% unauthorised) 12.6% in state-funded special schools (9.5% authorised and 3.0% unauthorised)

Why are thousands of children absent from school?

What are the facts about school attendance in the UK?

The most recent final Department for Education attendance statistics for a complete academic year is for 2021/22, when the absence rate for any reason was 8.5%. This is much lower than the previous year when absence was affected much more by the pandemic (25.9% absence rate for any reason in 2020/21).

What is the impact of poor school attendance UK?

Consequences on Educational Outcomes

Students with high absence rates are at a significant disadvantage, as they miss out on valuable learning opportunities. Academically, poor attendance hampers students' progress and leads to gaps in their knowledge.

How does UK school attendance work?

You'll get a School Attendance Order if the local council thinks your child is not getting an education. You have 15 days to provide evidence that you've registered your child with the school listed in the order or that you're giving them home education. If you do not, you could be prosecuted or given a fine.

What happens if you miss school in the UK?

PENALTY NOTICE FINES

Fines in the form of penalty notices can be issued by the council if a child is consistently absent from school. Each parent or guardian and each non-attending child within a family may receive a penalty notice carrying a fine of £60.

Can you miss school in the UK?

When your child can miss school. You can only allow your child to miss school if either: they're too ill to go in. you've got advance permission from the school.

What are the challenges facing schools today in UK?

Do UK universities care about high school attendance?

Your school's reference usually doesn't comment on attendance unless it is adversary and even so, your school will present this in a positive way to your advantage. Despite this, absences may have an effect on your overall academic performance which does affect university offers.

Why are schools so strict with attendance?

In many states, school funding is based on the average daily attendance at a school. If many students enrolled at a school fail to consistently attend, the school has less money to pay for essential classroom needs.

Can I call the police if my child refuses to go to school UK?

A parent has a duty to ensure that their child receives an education. If your child is refusing to go to school, then the police do not have any powers to make them attend. You should speak to the school who will be able to offer support and assistance.

How many days is a school year UK?

There are 195 school days in a year. Schools also have 5 days out of the academic year for staff training. Contact your child's school to find out when they will be. You can find bank holidays dates on GOV.UK.

What happens if my child refuses to go to school UK?

If your child misses school regularly (usually more than 15 days) without a good reason, the school will need to report it to the local authority. They can give you: A Parenting Order – you will need to go to parenting classes and follow court ordered advice.

Is it illegal to dropout of school in UK?

Under previous legislation it was compulsory for young people to remain in education until the age of 16. However, as a result of legislation introduced in September 2013, the law now requires that young people continue in education, employment or training until the age of 18.

Can a school refuse to release a child to a parent UK?

If the school has reason to fear for the safety of the child if they were to allow them to go with the parent (for example an allegation made by the child or the parent or due to the parents presenting behaviour) it is appropriate for the school to keep the child on the school premises and refuse the parent to take the ...

What attendance percentage is bad UK?

80% attendance over 5 years = 1 whole year of education lost. Research suggests that pupils who have an average of 20 days absent per school year see negative effects throughout their educational journey – resulting in a whole GCSE grade deficit by the time they leave secondary education.

Can teachers come to your house UK?

When do the teacher home visits take place? Most schools try to schedule the visits for the summer before your child is due to start school. But sometimes, they'll happen in September, shortly before or after the school term starts. If your child's school has a home-visit policy, you will be sent a letter about it.

What rights do parents have in schools UK?

Those who have parental responsibility for or care of a child have the same rights as biological parents to: receive information, such as school reports. participate in statutory activities, such as voting in an election for parent governors. be asked to give consent, such as to the child taking part in a school trip.

Is mental health a reason to miss school UK?

You should inform them in advance of any medical appointments or planned treatment. If your child is unable to go to school because of a mental health condition, such as severe anxiety, let the school know in writing, rather than just keeping them at home. A GP's note may help in such cases.

How many days off is 90 attendance UK?

90% attendance means that your child is absent from lessons for the equivalent of one half day every week. Over five years this is the equivalent of about one half of a school year.