School attendance information from Norfolk County Council 

By law, all children of compulsory school age (5-16 years) must receive a full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude.

Parents are required by law to make sure their children attend school regularly. For further information see the Education Act (1996) Section 444.

Children’s Services attendance team deal with issues concerning pupils who are not attending school regularly.

Every school has access to an Attendance and Entitlement Officer for help and advice on issues concerning pupil specific attendance. They can be contacted via email at csattendance@norfolk.gov.uk or via the attendance duty line on 01603 223681.

'If you need help or advice, please call Norman CE Primary and ask to speak to either Mrs Cutts our Office Coordinator or Mrs Fisher the headteacher.'

Attending school

You must make sure that your child gets a full-time education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year that they turn 16. You can send your child to school or educate them yourself.

'You will be contacted by us if your child doesn’t turn up for school, even if they’re only absent for a day'.

Refusing to attend school

There may be several reasons your child might refuse to go to school. These can include feelings of:

• Anxiety
• Negative thoughts about school
• Falling behind in schoolwork
• Loss of friends
• Decreased motivation
• Pleasurable activities at home

It can be difficult trying to convince a child or young person to go somewhere that is causing them negative feelings. However, the more time they spend out of school, the stronger these feelings become and the harder it will be for them to return.

When tackling this issue, it is important to try and understand why your child doesn’t want to attend school. Talk to your child about their worries by calmly listening to them acknowledging their fears. If they feel too worried about talking to you in person, ask them to write their concerns down. Ask them what they think the positives are in attending school. Let the school know that there is an issue as soon as possible and work in partnership with the school to address it.

'More information can be found on what to do if your child is feeling anxious about school and school attendance on the Just One Norfolk website. '

Missing school

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their child attends school regularly, and your child’s school will work with you to improve your child’s attendance. If this is not achieved, the school may refer you to the Children’s Services attendance team, who may issue you with a summons to appear in court. If parents are convicted in court, they may be fined up to £1,000.

In some circumstances, if parents have knowingly allowed their child to be absent from school, they may be fined up to £2,500 or even sent to prison for 3 months.

Absence

If your child is going to be absent from school, you should contact your child’s school on the first morning of any absence by phone or in person. You should explain the reason for your child’s absence and indicate when you think he or she is likely to return. You should also do this if your child is going to be late.

'We expect parents to call in each day your child is absent. Please read our First Day Absence Policy.'

If you do not notify the school, the school will probably try and contact you. The school may also decide to record your child’s absence as unauthorised.

You can only allow your child to miss school if:

• They’re too ill to go in
• You’ve got advance permission from the school
• Unavoidable reasons, that you should discuss with the school

There is extra support available if your child can’t go to school for long periods because of a health problem.