Flintshire Council launches new ‘We Want You Back’ campaign to drive up school attendance

As the start of the new school year approaches, Flintshire Council has launched a campaign to drive up pupil attendance rates in the county.

The council has said it “wants to welcome everyone back” and parents have been urged to make their child’s attendance at school “a priority.”

The local authority said that with 175 non-school days a year, there is ample opportunity to “spend time together and go on holiday.”

Additionally, it has stated that it is against the law for children of compulsory school age to skip school without good reason.

Attendance across secondary schools in the county has dipped to below the Welsh average since 2016.

In late 2019, education watchdog Estyn highlighted the need to improve attendance and reduce levels of exclusion in the area.

Flintshire Council has since been working to address the issues, although the Covid-19 pandemic has made measuring and comparing data more difficult.

The local authority has said that children who have very good attendance“ are more likely to gain 5 or more A*- C GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.”

“Any absence can have a detrimental effect on academic achievement which can lead to less life choices and opportunities.”

The council said, “it adds up quickly,  91.1% attendance may sound OK, but it actually means missing 17 days of school in one year – which, on average, means dropping 1 GCSE grade.”

In total there are 175 non-school days a year, “this gives families plenty of time to spend time together and go on holiday.” The council said.

“It is also against the law for children of compulsory school age to be absent from school without good reason.”

“Attendance should be a priority and we want children in Flintshire to have the best opportunities that are available – we are here to help!”

• Parents with concerns about their child’s attendance should contact school or your school’s Education Welfare Officer or call the Welfare Service: 01352 704155 or educationwelfareservice@flintshire.gov.uk.