School attendance and absence

Punctuality, improving outcomes, parental responsibility measures, school leaving age and school closures.

  1. Children missing education

    Statutory guidance for local authorities and advice for other groups on helping children who are missing education get back into it.

  2. Education and attendance information from your council

    How your council encourages attendance at school - truancy, unauthorised absences, education welfare officer

  3. Parental responsibility measures

    Local authority data on penalty notices, parenting orders and parenting contracts (for unauthorised absence).

  4. Parental responsibility: guide for schools and local authorities

    Guidance for local authorities and schools dealing with adults who have legal rights and responsibilities for children at their school.

  5. Pupil absence statistics: guide

    How we produce statistics on pupil absence.

  6. School attendance and absence

    You can be prosecuted if your child has unauthorised absence from school - truancy, help with getting your child to school, and legal action to enforce school attendance

  7. School attendance: guidance for schools

    Guidance on using pupil registers and attendance codes, as well as setting school hours and term dates.

  8. School behaviour and attendance: parental responsibility measures

    Statutory guidance for schools, local authorities and the police on dealing with poor attendance and behaviour in school.

  9. School closures

    School closures happen because of an emergency like severe weather - check whether your child's school is closed on your local council website

  10. School leaving age

    The age you can leave school in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  11. School term and holiday dates

    Find your child's school term, half term and holiday dates on your local council's website