Why do I need to attend school?
Regular attendance at school gives you the best possible start in life and prepares you for the future.
What are the benefits?
Going to school should be interesting. Not only will you learn subjects but you will also learn new skills, including social skills.
The skills and knowledge that you learn at school will help you now and in later life as you start work. Good attendance shows potential employers that you are reliable.
What happens if I am absent?
If you are absent, the school will need a reason from your parent/guardian why you weren’t there.
The Department of Education asks schools to electronically record a pupil’s attendance twice a day. If you are absent the school needs to input a code depending on your reason for not being in school.
If you are worried about going to school, for any reason, please speak to someone like your parent(s), teacher or school counsellor about it. They will want to help you.
If your attendance is very poor the school will have to let the Education Welfare Service know.
A Welfare Officer will then listen to any reasons you have for not going to school and will try and help everyone sort it out so you can continue with your lessons.
It is required by law that children of a compulsory school age get a full time education.