Attending School

Help your child to succeed at school

• Problems at School (Does he/she sometimes not want to go?)
• School Work
• Good Attendance

Problems In School (Does he/she sometimes not want to go?)

Children are sometimes reluctant to attend school. There can be a number of reasons for this but most can be overcome with the help of the school or the EWO.

Problems can arise from:

• Worries about school work.
• Lack of correct uniform.
• Difficulty in making friends.
• Problems with school staff.
• Low self esteem/weight problems.
• Worries about problems at home.
• Social problems.
• Bullying

If you think that your child is experiencing any of these problems, and doesn't want to go into school, don't delay - speak to a member of staff at your child's school, or contact the Education Welfare Officer, who will be pleased to help you deal with the situation.

School Work

Most children settle into school easily and make friends quickly. However, if children are absent from school for regular or prolonged periods, they may begin to struggle with their work.

All children have difficulties with their work on occasions, but these problems can usually be overcome. If this happens, you can help in the following ways:

• Don't let your child stay off school. This only makes things worse. Instead, try to find out what is wrong.
• Seek help immediately from your child's Head Teacher, Form Teacher or from the EWO
• Help your child deal with the problem. If you feel he/she is having difficulty with class work, homework or other school activities, talk to the relevant member of staff in school as soon as possible.

All Tameside's schools welcome parents into school to discuss their child's progress or any problems they may be experiencing.

If you feel that you need support when discussing your child's problems with school staff, please do not hesitate to contact the Education Welfare Officer.

Good Attendance

The advantages of good attendance at school can not be over-estimated. Regular attendance is a habit that all parents should encourage.

Good attendance means that pupils:

• Develop well socially.
• Establish good educational habits and routines.
• Complete vital course work on time.
• Prepare for tests and examinations (SAT's and GCSE).
• Keep up with work more easily.
• Have a good attendance record to show to prospective employers.

Poor attendance means that pupils:

• Lose their place in the social group.
• Feel unsettled in school.
• Miss vital coursework and homework.
• Miss deadlines and lose marks.
• Give a poor impression to prospective employers.

All absences should be avoided in the child's own interest. Parents are urged to make every effort to ensure that their child attends school every day.