School attendance: a guide for parents

Attending and taking part in learning - wherever learning takes place - is fundamental to making sure that our young people become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

Scotland's children and young people need to be included, engaged and involved throughout their education. This booklet helps you, as parents and carers, understand how you can help to achieve this.

The Scottish Government wants all children and young people to feel happy, safe and secure at school. We want to make sure children and young people receive day to day or additional support to attend school and engage in their learning.

Parents and carers are by far the most important influence on children's lives and learning and it is parents and carers who are responsible for making sure their child is educated.

This booklet is for parents or carers of children and young people who go to a school provided by the local authority and it explains your responsibilities as a parent when it comes to your child's attendance at school.

All those who work with children and young people in learning environments have a role to play in making sure all children and young people feel safe, secure, included, listened to and supported; and should be able to discuss and respond to issues which might affect attendance at school.

This booklet describes the support you and your child are entitled to if school attendance is a problem. If for any reason your child is worried about attending school, or if you are worried about your child's attendance at school, you will find this booklet helpful in getting support from the school or other organisations that can help.

I hope this booklet will guide you in helping your child achieve their best at school.

KEITH BROWN MSP
Minister for Schools and Skills