At OLSK, we all want our students to get an outstanding education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.

Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future – a child missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the year! By Year 10 they’ll have missed more than a year of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.

Coming to school every day, for the whole day, is vital. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.

Parents can be fined for not sending students to school without an acceptable reason. If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day. 

Attendance targets from the DfE.

On the 12th November, the DfE published a press release: Education Secretary sets roadmap to improve attendance levels. Roadmap to improve attendance From this month, every school will be issued with a minimum attendance improvement target, to ensure children are in school and ready to achieve. 

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

"We can only deliver opportunity for children in our country if they’re in school, achieving and thriving. That’s why I want every school to play its part in getting attendance back to – and beyond – pre-pandemic levels."

PLEASE NOTE:

The Department for Education (DfE) requires every child's attendance and the SPECIFIC REASON for any absence. To meet this statutory requirement, it is essential that parents inform the school on the first day of absence and provide a clear explanation of why their child is absent from school. Unexplained absences must be followed up by the school and recorded as UNAUTHORISED, as directed by the DfE.

To ensure accurate attendance records and to support your child's wellbeing, please:

- Contact the school as early as possible on the morning of any absence.

- Provide the reason for absence.

- Supply medical evidence for extended or frequent absences, where appropriate.

Your cooperation helps us meet the DfE expectations, and ensures that every child receives the support they need.