We’re approaching the end of the first month back at school. The new school year continues to go really well – children are happy, healthy learners with great behaviour. Our Reception children have settled in really well, too.
Thank you to the parents who responded with interest in becoming a parent governor. Because there was more than one person interested, it means there are elections. We’ve sent you a link so you can vote online after reading their expressions of interest. Look out for the reminder message about this. The deadline for votes is noon on Wednesday next week.
Is your child well enough to be in school?
Post-lockdowns, there’s growing concern about the low attendance rate for pupils. This letter to school leaders illustrates the point.
There is wide agreement among health professionals and educational professionals that school attendance is vital to the life chances of children and young people. Being in school improves health, wellbeing and socialisation
The letter makes two things clear:
- ‘It is usually appropriate for parents and carers to send their children to school with mild respiratory illnesses. This would include general cold symptoms: a minor cough, runny nose or sore throat.’
- ‘Worry and mild or moderate anxiety, whilst sometimes difficult emotions, can be a normal part of growing up for many children and young people. Being in school can often help alleviate the underlying issues. A prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending in the future, rather than reduce it.’
We’ve shared the link already, but do check out this NHS website to help you decide if your child is well enough to attend school.
Also worth checking out is this parent’s guide to keeping kids healthy this school year.
Finally, Leeds has produced this short document intended for parents and carers of primary school aged children.
Last year’s school attendance here at Scholes (Elmet) Primary was certainly better than the national figures – please, let’s keep it like that in 2023-24.