School Approach and Expectations around Attendance
In Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School we greatly value our students’ full attendance and participation in all aspects of school life. We recognise it as the most essential element that impacts learning, wellbeing, and personal growth.
The school is strongly committed to promoting good attendance and supporting every student to attend school regularly. We do this through a range of attendance support strategies and initiatives, including inclusive school community experiences, targeted attendance campaigns and activities, and opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the importance of regular attendance and positive attendance habits.
It is a legal requirement for all students to attend school (up to the age of 16). The Education Act 2000 affirms every child's right to an education and places the responsibility on parents to ensure their child receives this education.
When enrolling a student in Firhouse Education Together Secondary School, in line with the School Admission Policy and the School Community Agreement, parents and guardian(s) have signed an agreement which in turn confirms their understanding and commitment that their child will attend school regularly, engage fully, and participate actively in all aspects of school life.
Where a student’s attendance falls below expected levels without a valid reason, the school will work in partnership with the student and their family to understand the circumstances and identify appropriate supports. We recognise that there can be a range of factors affecting attendance and aim to address concerns early, while maintaining high expectations for regular and consistent attendance.
Our approach is focused on early identification, supportive intervention and partnership with students and families, while recognising that regular attendance is an important part of students’ learning, wellbeing and connection to school.
Booking a School Attendance Meeting
On occasion you may be asked into the school to attend a School Attendance Meeting to discuss your childs attendance. You can book an attendance meeting a number of ways, through this School Attendance Meeting link or through the QR code found below. The link and QR code will bring you to a booking page where you can select a time and date for the meeting.
Shared Goal to Improve Attendance
The start of the school year sees the re-launch of the national School Attendance campaign Every School Day is a New Day, highlighting the concerning rise in school absenteeism across Ireland. Is there a problem with attendance? Yes, there can be a problem with casual non-attendance.
The national campaign underlines the importance of regular attendance for students’ learning, confidence, and wellbeing. It also provides practical resources for families and schools atwww.gov.ie/schoolattendance, where you will find lots of information about the attendance situation in schools nationally and the supports being put in place.
For more information see TUSLA’s publications: ‘Don’t let your child miss out; School Attendance information for parents’ and ‘Supporting your Child when they are Reluctant to Attend School: Guidance for Parents and Guardians of Post Primary School Children’
Improved attendance remains one of our school’s main goals, in line with the national attendance drive from the Department of Education Every School Day is a New Day. The best place for a child in terms of wellbeing and achievement is in school. The routine of connecting with their peers and the team members in the school is so supportive of student growth and achievement. In order to achieve this goal, we need your support at home.
How can you support your child and their attendance?
We encourage all parents and guardians to support their child’s regular attendance by allowing them to remain at homeonly when they are genuinely unwell.
We recognise that there will, of course, be times when absence from school is necessary. However, small amounts of missed school can accumulate quickly, and regular attendance is an important part of helping students maintain their learning, routines, friendships and connection with school.
As part of this ongoing work to improve attendance, we are also reminding everyone in our school community of the importance of beingR.E.A.D.Y. for the school day:
- R – Routine matters:Keep regular morning and evening routines to reduce morning stress and student lateness.
- E – Encourage effort:Acknowledge and encourage your child’s efforts to show up everyday and engage.
- A – Ask and listen:Talk openly and regularly and If school feels difficult for your child, seek help early.
- D - Determination: Set clear expectations around attendance and encourage your child to take responsibility for attending school regularly and engaging in their learning.
- Y – Your support makes the difference: Be active in encouraging your child’s connection with their school, their peers and the wider school community.
Why does it matter?
Learning in our school is active and immersive. The online classroom does not exist and is no substitute for the experiential learning that the students have the privilege of undertaking with our amazing teaching team. As you know consistent attendance is crucial for your child's success. Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive of TUSLA has said, “Research has shown again and again that regular school attendance is vital in helping children get the best possible start in life. It lays the foundation for developing good social skills, building relationships and achieving success later in life”.
What else can you do?
Know your child's current attendance percentage on VSware. Consider if any days have been due to casual non-attendance.
For contextualising your child’s attendance rate percentage, Satisfactory/Regular Attendance is considered to be 95% or higher; this would be the equivalent of only having missed 4 days or fewer by the end of January.
You can get a month-by-month breakdown of your child’s attendance percentage on VSware:
- Ensure your child attends school when not sick as per document below ‘Attendance in Firhouse ETSS’.
- Establish a good routine in the mornings and evenings so your child is prepared for the school day ahead.
- Make sure your child goes to school regularly and follows the school’s expectations.
- Ensure your child arrives at school on time.
- Arrange dental and medical appointments outside school hours, when possible.
- Take family holidays outside term time.
- Always inform the school if your child is absent due to illness on VSware.
- Take truancy seriously – if your child is not attending school as you expect they may be putting themselves at risk – who are they with? / what are they doing?
- Talk to your child about school and take an interest in their schoolwork (including homework).
- Attend parent / guardian information evenings, student progress meetings and school events.
- Praise your child’s achievements at home.
- Always support the team in their efforts to build and maintain positive relationships.
- Discuss any problems or difficulties with the school – the team are there to help. Please ask for help if a problem arises.
- Familiarise yourself with the information from TUSLA: Every School Day Counts: Tips for Parents by Parents.
Why bother?
Learning in our school is active and immersive. The online classroom does not exist and is no substitute for the experiential learning that the students have the privilege of undertaking with our amazing teaching team. As you know consistent attendance is crucial for your child's success. Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive of TUSLA has said, “Research has shown again and again that regular school attendance is vital in helping children get the best possible start in life. It lays the foundation for developing good social skills, building relationships and achieving success later in life”.
What are the Department of Education and TUSLA doing?
The Department of Education has recently launched a National School Attendance Campaign 2023 where you will find lots of information about the attendance situation in schools nationally and the supports being put in place.
For more information see TUSLA’s publications: ‘Don’t let your child miss out; School Attendance information for parents’ and ‘Supporting your Child when they are Reluctant to Attend School: Guidance for Parents and Guardians of Post Primary School Children’
Previous campaign: January Check and Connect Attendance Drive
