Scots parents have been told to act as soon as they can or be slapped with a hefty fine, and potential jail time.
In Scotland, some children may attend school at the age of 4. However, this isn’t always the case, and there are ways to keep them at home for longer.
But once children do start school, parents could get a hefty fine if they don’t follow the rules. Warning Scots parents about legal action around school attendance, Glow Scotland says that if your child “is regularly marked as having ‘unauthorised absences’, the local authority could take action against you.
“As you have a legal duty to make sure your child attends school regularly, you may be guilty of an offence if this does not happen. Before taking any formal steps against you, the school and local authority should work with you to try and identify the reasons why your child has not been at school and to provide any support that is needed to help them attend.”
As well as this, the education experts stress that the school or local authority may involve someone like an attendance officer or home-school link worker. Their aim is to work alongside you to ensure your child gets back into school.
If your child continues to have regular unauthorised absences, the local authority could do any of the following:
- Make an attendance order
- Refer you and your child to the Children’s Reporter
- As a last resort, take you to court, where you could be fined or imprisoned
The rules not that while the latter may be rare, “it is important to know that it is possible.”
What age does my child have to attend school?
According to Parentzone Scotland: “In Scotland, children typically start primary school at age 4½ to 5½. Entry is based on the child’s birth date, with the school year beginning in August.”
This means that if your child’s birthday is on or between March 1 and August 31, your child will usually start school at the beginning of the Autumn term in the August of the year they turn 5.
However, if your child’s birthday is on or between September 1 and the last day in February, your child will usually start school at the beginning of Autumn term in the August before they turn 5.
If your child is still 4 years old on their scheduled start date, you have the right to delay their entry by one year. Children who defer are entitled to an additional year of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
If you want to do this, you should check your local authority’s website for specific application deadlines and procedures.
Deferred entry process
Many Early Learning Centres and primary schools work together to ensure a smooth move. ELC staff will pass on records of your child’s learning, achievements, interests, and social groups to their new teacher.
Talk to your children
Scottish parents are being urged to talk to their children about their feelings, worries, and what they are excited about. You should also aim to involve them in buying their uniform, schoolbag, and lunchbox.
If you are worried, share information with the school about your child’s health or interests, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have concerns. Experts say you should attend induction events or introductory sessions – they are designed to let you and your child meet teachers and become familiar with the school. If you cannot attend an event, contact the school and ask if you can go along at another time.
The advice is to go along prepared with a set of questions covering all the things you and your child want to know about. All local authority schools in Scotland produce an annual school handbook.
This gives you information about the school, including:
- Contact details – including information on how the school communicates with its parents and how parents can communicate with the school
- Opportunities for parents to become involved in the school and in their child’s education
- The school’s culture, ethos and values
- Curriculum, assessment and reporting
- Arrangements for support for pupils
- The school’s performance and achievements
- Range of school policies and practical information