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Attendance and behaviour

Attendance

School attendance has a direct effect on a child's educational outcomes and is important for your child's future. School attendance enables children to access all available opportunities and reach their full potential. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less.

Non-school attendance

You have a legal responsibility to make sure your children get a suitable education (as set out in the Education Act 1996 (opens new window)). For the majority, this means making sure your child is registered at a school and that they attend regularly during term time. If your child fails to attend school regularly you are committing an offence and could be issued with a Penalty Notice or prosecuted, which could result in a fine of up to £2500 or imprisonment for failing to ensure your child regularly attends school. Magistrates can also impose a Parenting Order, which would mean you having to attend parenting classes. The Local Authority can also apply for an Education Supervision Order.

Enquiries and advice

If you are concerned about your child's attendance you should first talk to your child's school.

Alternatively you can contact the Education Welfare Service by emailing EWS@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window). Your child's school should be able to provide the email address and mobile number for their allocated Education Welfare Officer.

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