School attendance is one of the biggest challenges that COVID-19 has posed to children and young people, impacting on their academic outcomes, well-being and safety.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in supporting our children and young people to attend school regularly. In Salford, attendance in our schools has improved but still over 13,000 pupils were persistently absent last academic year - meaning that, on average, pupils had at least one day off school every two weeks.
Evidence from a recent Children’s Commissioner report shows that attending school at the start of September is really important- children who miss the first few days of term for unauthorised reasons have a predicted overall absence of 45% in the Autumn term.
In Salford, we are asking all staff across all partners who have contact with parents and children to help to communicate the importance of a strong return to school in September.
We ask all staff to consider:
If you are working with a child or young person who may find returning to school in September, the School Attendance Team have professionals working throughout the summer who can offer some support and guidance around possible barriers to strong attendance from the first day of term.
If you would like some advice please contact ews@salford.gov.uk.