School attendance

If children do not attend school regularly, they will fall behind and may not be able to keep up with the work. By law, all children between the age of five and 16 must have a suitable full-time education.

School attendance expectations

Find information on school attendance and truancy.

Educating your child at home

We support the right of parents to educate at home and would like to work with parents, carers and the education community to develop effective and supportive partnerships.

Exclusion from school

Exclusion from school is very serious. Only the headteacher of a school can exclude a pupil and this must be on disciplinary grounds.

Children missing education

All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to an efficient, full time education, which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

School absences - term-time leave and penalty notices

Find out about the fines we can issue if your child is regularly absent from school.

School absences and legal intervention

Find out what statutory legal intervention means and what you should do if you are referred for legal action.