Good school attendance is vital for a child's education, wellbeing and future opportunities. We are committed to supporting all children and young people to attend school regularly and achieve their full potential.
The importance of good attendance
Regular school attendance allows children to:
- Build knowledge and skills consistently
- Develop positive relationships with teachers and peers
- Participate fully in school life
- Gain confidence and self-esteem
- Prepare for their future education and careers
The Impact of Low Attendance
Even short periods of absence can have a significant effect:
- Missing just 10% of school days (about 19 days per year) can negatively impact academic achievement
- A child with 95% attendance across a whole school year (August to June) will have missed around 60 lessons. A child with 85% attendance will have missed around 250 lessons.
- Low attendance is linked to lower exam results and fewer qualifications
- Low attendance can affect social development and job prospects later in life
Resources for parents and carers
We want to work in partnership with families to support good attendance. The following resources may be helpful:
- Our Attendance Policy and Parent/Carer Guide to Supporting School Attendance can be accessed on our website
- The Scottish Government webpage on School attendace: a guide for parents
- The Enquire website has a factsheet on school attendance
- The NHS Fife website has helpful advice for parents/carers where a child or young person is refusing or is reluctant to attend school
- The Young Minds website has information and advice on school anxiety and refusal to attend school
Get support
If you have any concerns about your child's attendance or need additional support, please don't hesitate to contact your child's school. We're here to help ensure every child can make the most of their education.
You can also contact Children First parentline on 08000 28 22 33 for free confidential advice or visit the Children First website for more support and advice.
Together, we can make #EverySchoolDayCounts for children and young people in the Scottish Borders.