We are raising awareness of the importance of school attendance, and how it’s linked to young people’s academic success, wellbeing and future opportunities, with our ‘It all adds up’ campaign. The initiative promotes the life-changing benefits of school attendance across the council’s channels and provides support and guidance to families needing help in getting their children to school.
Both locally and nationally, there has been a drop in young people going to school over the past few years, worsened by the pandemic. Absences are shown to have both short- and long-term negative impacts, on everything from social skills and mental health to academic performance and future employment prospects.
Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
Being in school and having the best attendance possible is so important for children and young people. It underpins all the many benefits of school for your child, such as their learning, wellbeing and wider development. Promoting school attendance is central to our mission of ensuring every child has opportunities to fulfil their potential. For some children, attending school every day will be harder than for others. This is why we are working together with schools and with families to solve problems and see more children able to access school more easily. Whatever the reason is for your child not attending school, please let us know. We care, and we're here to support you. Together, as a borough, we can give every child the best start in life.
Research by the Department for Education shows that there is a clear link between increased school attendance and higher educational performance across all pupils from all backgrounds, leading to better life opportunities and the best outcomes that an individual can achieve. Children in Year 6 with 95–100% attendance have 30% higher odds of reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared to pupils who attend 90–95% of the time. The link is even stronger at secondary school. Data shows that missing just ten days of Year 11 reduces the likelihood of achieving grade 5 in English and Maths by around 50%.
Public Health England also highlights how attendance supports young people’s wellbeing, safeguarding and access to support services.
What can you do?
As parents, guardians or carers, you play an important role in making school attendance a priority. Only keep your child off school when they are too ill to attend. Try and book medical appointments outside of school time whenever possible and always avoid holidays in term time.
We know attendance can be hard at times, so if you’re having trouble getting your child to go to school, try and understand the reasons why and tell the school as soon as possible.
The school will discuss your child’s attendance with you, agree a plan for improvement and work with you to support your child and deal with the situation.
We’re here to help too
Your child’s school may refer you to us for advice and guidance. If so, our school attendance advisory service will arrange to meet you at home or at your child’s school to help understand the reasons for your child’s low attendance and create a plan to help you get your child back to attending school regularly.
A reminder for parents and carers
You have a legal duty to make sure your child attends school regularly. If your child misses too much school without good reason, we may need to take formal action to address the situation, and you may face a fine or legal action.
Get in touch
For more information or if you have any questions or concerns, contact us by email at school-attendance-advisory@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or call 020 8921 8510.