Your responsibility
You need to make sure your child gets a full-time education either at school, at home or through alternative learning provision.
You are legally responsible for making sure your child receives a full-time education either at school or through alternative provision such as home education.
Children from 5 to 16 must attend school regularly during term time.
You may be fined or prosecuted if your child is regularly absent without the school’s permission.
When your child can miss school
You must get permission from the headteacher if your child needs time off school.
Your child is only allowed to miss school:
- if they’re too ill to go in
- for medical appointments
- for special circumstances like a death in the family
- for religious observance
- because of poor weather conditions
You should let the school know as early as possible if your child needs to miss school.
Health and your child's education
Schools will work with us to arrange and provide alternative provision for children and young people who are too ill to go to school because of ongoing medical conditions or other health issues.
Visit GOV.UK for information and guidance on illness and your child's education.
Taking holidays in term time
Improving school attendance is a key priority for all schools across Cornwall. Missing school can negatively impact a pupil’s progress and stop them from reaching their true academic potential.
If you feel that there are exceptional circumstances you should make an application to your child's school. You must get permission from the headteacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.
You could be fined or face legal action for taking your child out of school during term time without the school’s permission.
Help get your child to school
It is your responsibility to ensure your child arrives school on time.
You can help your child get to school on time by:
- establishing a good routine in the mornings so your child is prepared for the school day ahead
- letting the school know if your child is absent due to illness and keeping them informed
- making time to talk to your child about school each day and find out about homework
- ensuring your child goes to school regularly and follows the school rules
- ensuring regular communication with your child’s school and their teacher
- attending parents’ evenings and school events
There may be reasons why your child doesn’t want to go to school. Let them know that you and the school will work together to help and support them.
What should I do if my child is refusing to go to school?
If your child has school anxiety or is refusing to go to school, it can be a worrying time for you as a parent. It’s likely you will want to get them back to school as soon as possible and get back to your normal routine. The most important thing is to make sure your child feels supported through their anxiety, then you can build on a plan to get back to school.
It’s best to work with the school wherever possible when you are having issues with school attendance, whatever the reason behind the issues.
- Make an appointment to talk to your child’s form teacher, Head of Year or SENCo and discuss what issues your child is having to see if any additional support may be offered.
- Once you and school have a better understanding of the barriers your child feels they are facing, they will be able to put in reasonable measures to help your child overcome these barriers and support them in school
- If your school has sent you a letter about your child’s attendance, ask for a meeting with the attendance lead who may be able to help with making a support plan.
- Depending on the reasons your child may be struggling to go to school, look into the schools’ policies and ensure that they are following their set protocols (for example where bullying may be involved or if there are additional learning needs or there are friendship or communication issues).
- Make sure you are in communication with the school about any issues your child may be having and that there is a support plan in place. Support plans should be reviewed regularly and shared with parents.
- If your child is on an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) LINK TO SEN you can request a review if you feel that the support strategies in place are not effective.
- The school may be able to offer support with referrals to other professionals if it is felt more support is needed that they are not able to provide.
If you have concerns about your child's attendance, contact the school for help and advice.
GOV.UK has more information and advice to help you get your child to school.