Ceredigion County Council website

Children must have an education between the school term after their fifth birthday and the last Friday in June, in the school year that they turn 16 years old. Most children in Wales are educated in school, but some parents/carers choose to educate their children at home.

We respectively remind parents/carers of the importance of ensuring that each child attends school on time. Pupils who arrive after the school registration has closed will be recorded as either:

• L - late before the register closes - when your child is a few minutes late; or
• U - late after the register closes - this counts as an unauthorised absence (absence without permission)

Arriving late to school not only disrupts the education of those arriving late but also those pupils who are already in school. Being just 5 minutes late a day can lead to around 3½ full days missed a year. Being late 30 minutes a day can lead to almost 21 full days missed a year!

Being on time:

• gets your child’s day off to a good start and puts your child in a positive frame of mind, so that they can make the most of their learning
• sets positive patterns for the future
• leads to good attendance
• leads to better achievement
• leads to understanding that school is important, and education is valuable
• helps your child develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and towards others
• helps your child make friends and keep friends
• reaps rewards; it leads to success and self-confidence

If your child is absent contact their school by e-mail or telephone with the below information:

• Pupils name
• What year
• Nature of illness/reason for absence
• Expected return date
• Caller’s name & relationship to the pupil

You must contact their school as soon as possible on the morning of each day of absence. If schools do not hear from you, they will telephone or text on the first day of absence. For long period of absences schools may contact the Education Inclusion Service to undertake a welfare check.

We must emphasise that the position with regards to holidays during term time has not changed, in that parents should not expect that the school would normally agree to a request for a family holiday in term time.

When considering a request for holiday during term time schools will consider the following:

• Your child’s previous attendance history
• Holiday has already been taken during the academic year
• The stage of your child’s education
• The time of year (exams etc)
• The nature of the trip (exceptional circumstances)

There may be occasions where, even in exceptional circumstances, your child’s school may not agree leave.
Where parents have children in more than one school a separate request must be made to each school. The Head teacher at each school will make their own decision based on the factors relating to the child at their school.

Holidays during term time without the headteacher’s permission, then this will be recorded as unauthorised absence (absence without permission). A request for holiday form can be requested from your school.

• Parents may receive a letter from school advising them of their child’s attendance and number of days missed
• If attendance continues to be of concern the school may invite parents in for a meeting, the Education Inclusion Service or other relevant agencies may also be invited to attend
• Following a meeting, if your child’s attendance continues to be of concern the school may refer to the Education Inclusion Service
• Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without good reason may lead to issuing of a fixed penalty notice or prosecution. Regular absences from school affects the pattern of a child’s learning and may seriously affect their learning

With an attendance percentage at or below 90% a child is classified as a persistent absentee.

90% attendance means that the student is:

• Missing half a day every week
• Missing nearly 4 weeks of school in a year
• Missing half a school year over a five year period

We recognise that everyone's situation is different. If you feel that there are situations in your life or your child's life that prevent them from attending school/attending on time, you can get advice and support from your school or the Local Authority. We are all here to help and support you.

You have an important role to play in helping your child/children to develop healthy attendance patterns.

• Set regular bedtime and morning routines
• Schedule medical and dental appointments after school or during holidays
• Avoid taking holidays during term time
• Send children to school every day unless they are sick
• Make sure you’re on time
• Praise and reward good attendance – even small successes e.g. going in promptly
• Know routines of the school day to avoid issues e.g. have they got their PE kit?
• If there is a problem talk calmly to you child and listen to the explanation
• Speak to school at the earliest opportunity if you are worried about your child’s attendance. We may be able to help and support you and your child. You are not alone