Attendance and Punctuality (Primary and Special Schools)
Introduction
Clackmannanshire Council is committed to working with parents, children and other agencies to ensure that all children enrolled at its schools attend regularly.
All children are likely to be absent from school at some time in their school career. However, persistent poor attendance is disruptive to the individual and to the work of the class and may be an early warning of other difficulties. Where there are genuine reasons for non-attendance, the authority will work with agencies to ensure that the child's education is continued by means other than school attendance.
The Council's and school's staff overwhelming concern is for the welfare of children. Parents who fail to secure an adequate education for their children, for example by failing to secure regular attendance are in breach of their statutory duty. Unfortunately, some absences may be condoned or even actively encouraged by parents. This is not acceptable and where this is found to be the case, the Authority will use all powers at its disposal to ensure that children attend school regularly.
The procedures that the Council and school have put in place are aimed at ensuring the welfare of all its pupils. Parents are asked to help by co-operating with these procedures.
Absence from School
If you know in advance that your child is going to be absent, please tell your child's class teacher/school, in a note if possible.
Where possible, you should try to take dental, medical and other appointments for your child outwith the school day.
Clackmannanshire Council actively discourages taking children out of school during term-time for family holidays because of the disruption that it causes to the education of individual pupils and class groups. Schools cannot give parents permission to do this and, except in the most exceptional of circumstances, such absences will be treated as unauthorised.
On the first day of any absence, and before 10.00 am, you should tell the school of your child's absence. Where possible, you should tell the school how long the absence is expected to be. If your child's absence lasts longer than five school days, please tell the school of your child's progress and likely date of return, if known. If the absence lasts longer than 20 school days, the Headteacher may contact you to discuss the continued absence.
If your child is not present in school and the school has received no notification from you regarding the absence by 10.00 am, school staff will contact you using the contact details you have provided to the school. If the school cannot contact you to confirm the whereabouts of your child, the Headteacher may ask the school's Attendance and Welfare Officer to call at your home or may notify the Police.
It is extremely important that you inform the school of any changes in your contact details.
Sometimes children miss school without the knowledge of their parents.
Your child's school will regularly check for any unexplained absences and may write to you for an explantion if there are any outstanding absences.
In this way, you will be kept informed of any incidences of absence of which you might otherwise be unaware.
Taking your child out of school during the school day
From time to time, you may need to take your child out of school during the school day perhaps for an appointment, because your child is unwell or because of a family emergency. Children who need to leave school during the school day will only be released into the care of a parent or other adult, who has been authorised in writing by you or verbally by phone.
Where possible, you should try to make dental, medical and other appointments for your child outwith the school day.
If you know that you will have to take your child out of school in advance ie. for an appointment, it is helpful if you inform the school in advance. You must also inform the school in writing if you want an adult other than yourself to escort the child. Schools will not release pupils into the care of anyone who does not have your written authorisation. This is to protect your child.
When you, or another authorised adult, take your child out of school, you will be asked to sign a register. You will also be issued with an "Authorised Absence Pass".
Clackmannanshire Council has an arrangement with Central Scotland Police that young people, who are not in school during normal school hours, whether or not they are with an adult, may be challenged. If the child does not have an "Authorised Absence Pass", then the Police may return the child to school. The Council's Attendance and Welfare Officers and Community Wardens may also approach young people and ask to see the "Authorised Absence Pass".
Punctuality
All children are likely to be late for school at some time in their school career. However, persistent poor timekeeping is disruptive to the individual and the work of the class and may be an early warning of other difficulties.
If your child is late for school, please send a note of explanation with your child or telephone the school.
Of course, you may not be aware that your child is late for school - s/he may leave home in adequate time for school and delay on the way.
The school records all latecoming. If your child has had any unexplained latecomings, you will be sent a letter reminding you that a note of explanation is outstanding and asking you to provide one by return. In this way, you will be kept informed of any incidences of lateness of which you might otherwise be unaware.
School's Attendance and Welfare Officer
If your child is regularly absent from or late for school, you may be visited by the school's Attendance and Welfare Officer or be invited to meet with the Headteacher to discuss the reasons for absence or latecoming and to seek a plan for improvement.
More Information
For more information you can contact us using the details below.
You can also refer to the Scottish Government's document A guide for parents about school attendance.
Publications & Documents
Page & Site Tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Facilities, Schools & Welfare Team, Services to People
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 452499 / 450000 Fax: 01259 452440
Email: fswsupport@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
