School Attendance

For children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and your child should be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. It is very important therefore that you make sure that your child attends regularly.

If your child is absent from school, it is necessary for you to provide a note to the school explaining that absence. A phone call will not suffice. Absence notes from a Parent/Guardian must be given to your child’s teacher for all your child’s absences from school. This note must be handed in on the day your child returns to school after their absence. Absence notes must contain the following information:

  • Child’s name

  • Date of absence

  • Reason for absence

  • Signed by Parent/Guardian

Here is an example:

5 October 2018

Dear Teacher,

John Kelly was absent from school on Thursday 4 October 2018 due to illness.

Yours sincerely,

M. Kelly

Please Note: Parents/Guardians are urged not to take their children on holidays during the school year. Children miss an enormous amount of learning and teaching when they miss any time from school. Class work missed due to holidays will not be assigned by your child’s teacher.

Tusla – The Child and Family Agency

Schools are obliged by law to report on school attendance since the inception of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. If your child misses 20 or more days during the school year the school is obliged to inform Tusla. This obligation exists to protect children’s educational welfare.

For more information on school attendance click here.