information on regular school attendance for children in care and how the Virtual School supports and monitors them.
We know that every school day matters. Punctual and regular school attendance is essential to effective learning. The attendance of all children in the Virtual School is regularly monitored. The Virtual School recommends that holidays for Children Looked After (CLA) should not be authorised in school terms. This is because research suggests that children taken out of school may never catch up on the work missed. This may affect test results and can be potentially harmful if a child is studying for final year examinations.
The attendance of all children and young people of statutory school age is monitored regularly and where there are concerns the Virtual School ensures strategies are put in place. The Virtual School also praises excellent attendance.