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‘Miss School, Miss Out’: Council launches campaign to improve school attendance
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10 November 2023
Neath Port Talbot Council has launched a campaign to highlight the importance of school attendance to help ensure that all children and young people get the best possible start in life. The ‘Miss School, Miss Out’ campaign aims to raise awareness about the benefits of school attendance, provide information on how families can prevent absences, and highlight the available support for parents.
Regular attendance at primary and secondary schools plays a vital role in helping children develop essential life skills, social abilities, friendships, team values, and understanding potential career pathways. Research shows a direct link between high school attendance rates and higher academic achievement. In the 2022/23 academic year, 82% of pupils in Neath Port Talbot who maintained a 95% attendance rate or more achieved a ‘C’ grade or above in GCSE Maths and English.
The Council offers a dedicated Education Welfare Service to assist parents and guardians facing challenges with getting their children to attend school regularly. This service focuses on providing advice and support to parents of compulsory school-age children, aiming to promote consistent attendance and enhance the overall educational experience. Parents and guardians who have concerns over a child’s attendance should speak to the school in the first instance.
Furthermore, the campaign emphasises the role of parents and guardians in preventing school absences. It encourages families to establish a consistent routine from an early age, explain the benefits of good attendance and punctuality, and engage actively in their child's education by participating in school activities and discussing school work.
Councillor Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education & Early Years, said, “The ‘Miss School, Miss Out’ campaign has been launched to coincide with when we start to see a drop in attendance rates during the school year.
“Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for children and young people to make the most out of their time at school. It's not just about what they learn in the classroom, but the endless extracurricular activities that are available to help develop skills such as teamwork, creativity, and self-confidence.
“We understand that some pupils may face challenges, and we want to assure families that help is available. If your child is struggling with school attendance, please contact your school for help and advice in the first instance.”
David Cole, Head Teacher at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School, said: “Year after year, the statistics show the strong link between attendance and attainment in our school.
“Parents, if you want to support the education of your children, the best thing you can do is send your children to school every day.”
For more information about the campaign, please visit www.npt.gov.uk/school-attendance.