AS SCHOOLS look set to welcome pupils back to the classroom next week for a new academic year, Worcestershire County Council is stressing the importance of regular attendance.
Evidence shows children who miss the first few days of term for unauthorised reasons have a higher predicted overall absence rate of around 43 per cent – the equivalent of 30 days across the term.
Ahead of the new year, the Department for Education (DfE) has published new statutory guidance for schools and local authorities which recognises some young people find it harder than others to attend school.
Called ‘Working together to improve School Attendance’, the document recommends schools should work collaboratively with pupils and parents to remove barriers to attendance by building strong and trusting relationships to put the right support in place.
The DfE understands certain pupils face more complex barriers to gaining an education, including those with long term physical or mental health conditions or who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The guidance recognises their right to an education is the same as any other pupil and therefore the attendance ambition for these pupils should be the same as it is for any other pupil, but additional support may need to be provided.
Coun David Chambers, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Regular attendance at school is essential in supporting a child’s learning, wellbeing and development.
“We recognise some children may face challenges in attending school an in these cases, we will work closely with the school to help parents and carers to address any barriers to their child’s regular attendance.
“Any parent or carer whose child is struggling to attend because of an issue in school, or at home, should talk to their child’s school in the first instance.”
For any attendance enquiries, the Worcestershire County Council attendance helpline is open daily, during term-time between 9am and 4.30pm, by calling 01905 844 440.
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