When a pupil starts to miss some school days or lessons this can be categorised as ‘occasional absence‘. This can cover a range of situations, which may include:
- A student attends school, but often feels anxious about going.
- A student sometimes struggles to go into their classroom.
- A student has started missing a day of school now and then.
Understanding attendance and worries
Being nervous or worried about school is a usual feeling experienced by all pupils at some point, whether they are starting a new school, worried about an exam or after a difficulty with friends.
Sometimes, a pupil might experience more worry than their peers. When this worry is linked to school, they might experience anxious thoughts around attending school or certain lessons. Pupils who are beginning to struggle with school attendance or starting to have worries related to school may show us this by:
- beginning to be less engaged in their lessons
- speaking negatively about school
- crying more, or appearing worried or irritable
- feeling unwell on school days
- asking to go home
- not wanting to go to school or having difficulties separating from parents
- missing certain lessons
- parents may report difficulties getting ready for school or large emotional outbursts upon returning home from school
Supporting pupils who are missing some school days or lessons
How can schools help?
Strategies and resources for schools and settings.
How can parents help?
Advice for parents on things they can try at home.
Support services
Teams and services in Devon who can support schools and families.