Good attendance starts with positive routines, good communication and working together to address any barriers that may be affecting a child’s ability to attend school regularly.
Every family faces challenges from time to time, but there are many simple steps that can help children develop good attendance habits and feel ready for school each day.
How Can I Support My Child’s Attendance?
etting enough sleep is important for children’s learning, wellbeing and ability to cope with the school day.
You can help by:
- Having a consistent bedtime routine.
- Setting regular bedtimes and wake-up times.
- Limiting screen time before bed.
- Ensuring your child gets the recommended amount of sleep for their age.
When children are well rested, mornings are often less stressful and getting ready for school becomes easier.
ositive start to the day can make a significant difference to attendance and punctuality.
Try to:
- Allow enough time to get ready.
- Set alarms in good time.
- Avoid rushing where possible.
- Build regular morning routines that your child becomes familiar with.
Consistent routines can help reduce anxiety and create a calmer start to the school day.
ring for school the night before can help make mornings less stressful.
Consider:
- Packing school bags in advance.
- Laying out school uniform.
- Preparing PE kits and equipment.
- Checking homework is completed and packed.
- Discussing any activities or events happening the next day.
Being organised helps children feel prepared and confident.
tive encouragement can help children develop healthy attendance habits.
You can:
- Talk positively about school.
- Celebrate good attendance and punctuality.
- Praise effort and resilience.
- Discuss what your child enjoys about school.
- Highlight the importance of education and future opportunities.
Children are more likely to attend regularly when they feel motivated and supported.
Regular attendance is a habit that develops over time.
You can support this by:
- Helping your child understand why school is important.
- Taking an active interest in their education.
- Talking about their school day.
- Encouraging friendships and participation in school activities.
- Addressing concerns before they become bigger issues.
Good attendance habits established early often continue throughout a child’s education.
What Can I Do If I Am Worried About My Child’s Attendance?
Contact the School Early
If you have concerns about your child’s attendance, speak to the school as soon as possible.
Early conversations can often prevent small concerns from developing into more significant difficulties and allow support to be put in place quickly.
Discuss Any Barriers to Attendance
Many factors can affect attendance, including:
- Health needs.
- Emotional wellbeing.
- Friendship difficulties.
- Anxiety or worries about school.
- Family circumstances.
- Transport or practical difficulties.
Sharing information with the school helps staff understand what is happening and identify the most appropriate support.
Seek Support
Schools are committed to working with families to help children attend regularly and achieve their potential.
Support may include:
- Meetings with school staff.
- Attendance plans and agreed actions.
- Referrals to appropriate services.
- Pastoral support.
- Advice and guidance from the Attendance Support Team.
The earlier support is sought, the easier it is to identify solutions and prevent attendance concerns from escalating.
Remember: You Are Not Alone
Many families experience attendance difficulties at some point during their child’s education. Schools, families and the Attendance Support Team work together to understand barriers, find practical solutions and support children to attend school regularly.
If you are worried about your child’s attendance, speak to your child’s school. Working together at an early stage is often the best way to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
Related Information
- Why Attendance Matters
- Attendance and the Law
- Absence Due to Illness
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)