Attending school and compulsory school age

Efficient full-time education will normally be provided through attendance at a SCE School. However, education may also be provided other than at school where parents have chosen to educate their child at home. This is a significant commitment, which is rarely undertaken by Service families. Parents wishing to educate their child at home should apply in writing to the HQ. Approval to educate a child at home is subject to inspection by SCE of the educational programme provided by the parents and of the child's educational progress.

Schools keep an attendance register in which, at the beginning of the morning session and during the afternoon session, the presence or absence of every pupil on the school roll is recorded. The register will distinguish between authorised and unauthorised absences.

• when prevented from attending by sickness
• on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the child's parent belongs
• when the school is not within walking distance and school transport is unavailable, for whatever reason
• if leave of absence has been granted by the Headteacher

The Headteacher is able to grant leave of absence at his or her discretion for reasons including the following:

• attendance at a medical or dental appointment
• for study in the period immediately before public examinations
• when attending an interview
• when attending work experience organised by the school or taking part in an authorised performance under authority granted by HQ SCE
• death of a close member of the child's family

Headteachers may grant leave of absence for a family holiday, but will generally dissuade parents from taking their child out of school in term time, especially at crucial periods for the child.

In judging requests, Headteachers will consider the nature of the holiday, the duration of the absence and its effect on the child's education, the circumstances of the family, and the child's attendance pattern. If granted, leave of absence for a family holiday will not exceed 10 days in any school year.

In recognition of the special circumstances of children attending SCE Schools, an additional 10 days leave of absence may be granted exceptionally before and/or during and/or after the head of household has returned from a tour of duty out of theatre which has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least three months, and which is deemed by the appropriate military authorities to be hazardous or dangerous.

Pupils will not be granted leave of absence to enable them to take up employment during school hours, except for work experience organised through the school.

If a pupil on the school roll is absent and there has been no explanation from the parent(s)/carer (s), the school will make contact with the parent/carer on the first day of absence to establish the child’s whereabouts and the reason for absence. For a child on the Child Protection register, unexplained absences will also be reported to the relevant caseworker. Where the school has concern about a child’s continuing unauthorised absence, the relevant Unit Families Officer or Unit Welfare Officer will be asked to pursue the matter.

SCE Schools include their rates of authorised and unauthorised absence in their prospectuses and in the School Profile. For pupils of compulsory school age, the child’s annual school report to parents will include the total number of half days absence taken without authority.

Compulsory School Age

In accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996, a child reaches compulsory school age at the start of the term following his / her fifth birthday. For this purpose, attendance is required from the beginning of the Autumn, Spring, or Summer Terms if the child has attained his / her fifth birthday on or before 31 August, 31 December, or 31 March respectively.

There is no requirement for school or nursery attendance before a child reaches statutory school age. A child ceases to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the school year in which the child reaches the age of 16. This date is binding even on children who are not entered for examinations.

Employers may not employ a child full-time before that date, nor may training providers provide full-time Government sponsored training.