Why does your son or daughter need to go to school?• To get a good education• To learn new and

interesting things• To develop their social skills• To see their friends• To get a good job• It’s the law• It’s fun

Good school attendance can lead to increased learning and greater achievements in life

Do you know what good attendance is?

• This is Simon. He is in Year 10 and has 90% attendance.

• Is that good?

• What does this mean?

90% attendance is…

• Half a day missed every week! (Would your boss like you to be off work this much- it’s practically part time!)

• Nearly four whole weeks of lessons missed in a school year!

• Half a school year missed over five years!

What impact might this have on Simon’s life?Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = GCSE grade DROP! (DfES)

The greater the attendance the greater the achievement.

The greater the achievement the more your son or daughter can earn in the future

• A good job

• A big house

• A great car

• Great holidays

This can lead to a better standard of living with:

So 90% is not as good as it first seemed

What can you do as a parent to increase your child's attendance?

Ways you can encourage attendance

1. Regularly find out what your son or daughter’s absence is and check this matches with your own record.

2. If you have concerns, ring the school - they will check attendance and be discreet.

3. Talk regularly with your son or daughter about school and how they feel about it – they are more likely to attend if they feel supported and are listened to.

Ways you can encourage attendance

4. Phone your son or daughter’s school as soon as possible to explain why your child is absent, and when you expect them to return.

5. Only allow days at home for genuine illness.

6. Avoid taking holidays in school time.

Ways you can encourage attendance

7. Know routines of the school day to avoid issues, e.g. have they got their PE kit?

8. Praise and reward good attendance - even small successes.

Other tips to help secure good attendance

1. If there is a problem with your son or daughter’s attendance, talk calmly to them and listen to their explanation. Finding out the reason for non attendance is important.

2. Talk to your son or daughter’s school or Torbay Council’s Attendance Improvement Service to resolve issues.

Help and support is available for you and your family - you are not alone.

Other tips to help secure good attendance

3. Be particularly watchful and supportive in the run up to tests and be aware of coursework deadlines.

4. Check homework diary regularly for gaps as well as completed activities.

5. Help them catch up with missed work - missed days do not mean missed work.

6. Remember PRAISE good attendance.

Attend and Achieve!

Help your son or daughter by keeping their attendance above 95%.

We want every young person to achieve their full potential - with your help they can!