In recent years, attendance figures in Leeds schools have been steadily rising. Substantial increases in attendance over the last two years mean that children and young people have benefited from the equivalent of more than 98,000 additional school days.
Attendance policy
Education Leeds runs various successful initiatives in schools throughout Leeds, to encourage improved attendance and support families in highlighting the benefits of active participation in daily school life. The Leeds School Attendance Policy sets out how we deal with such things as truancy and other unauthorised absences in Leeds schools. It also sets out advice to schools for a model attendance policy.
To get a copy of the attendance policy, or for advice on truancy, school absence, or any other attendance related issues, contact the Education Leeds Attendance (Education Welfare) Service on 0113 247 5590.
You can also visit the government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) attendance website for further information on school attendance. The website is for local education authorities (LEAs), schools, governors, police authorities, parents and other local groups to get information on school attendance issues and share examples of good practice that have been introduced by individual schools and LEAs.
Holidays during term time
Government guidelines recommend that a child needs to attend at least 95% of the school year. Just 10 days absence takes a child below this figure.
Education Leeds advises that taking your children on holiday during term time could be seriously damaging their future. The cost to your child’s future caused by missing school can far outweigh the financial savings made on cheaper term-time holidays.
Visit the Education Leeds website for details of your child's school calendar for this year.