School is more than schoolwork writes Brighton councillor

As a parent myself, I know all too well how busy this time of year can be, with new classes, activities and routines to keep up with.

But it’s also an opportunity to build good attendance habits for the year ahead.

The lessons your child learns at school go far beyond academics. The friendships they build, the challenges they work through and their everyday experiences teach them skills for life.

School is about so much more than schoolwork – it’s a space where children and young people develop confidence, discover their talents, access support and make the most of the opportunities that education provides.

We know getting your child to school isn't always easy. But encouraging them to go, even during difficult moments, builds their resilience and can be rewarding.

When children attend school regularly, they're more likely to feel connected to their community and their peers.

We want every child and young person in the city to feel safe, welcomed and a sense of belonging at school. When children feel connected, valued and supported, they are more likely to attend regularly, participate fully and realise their potential.

Missing school, even occasionally, can have a big impact on children and young people’s learning and progression.

Missing two days of school a month means missing nearly three weeks during a school year, while being 15 minutes late every day means two weeks of learning lost in an academic year.

Pupils with more than 95 per cent attendance achieve at least one grade higher in GCSE results – and even 90 per cent attendance means losing 19 days of education in a school year.

These are all missed opportunities to learn and thrive.

We understand that in some cases, children and young people may struggle to attend school. There are many reasons why young people may not be attending school regularly, but the most important step to take is to stay in touch with your child’s school.

Every school in Brighton and Hove has staff trained to support families with attendance, so you can contact your school to find out more about the help that’s available to you.

Improving attendance is a shared responsibility between families, schools, the council and partner organisations across the city. We all have a role to play and by working together we can remove barriers to attendance and help every young person in Brighton and Hove achieve their potential.

For more information, support and guidance for parents, carers and families of children struggling with school attendance, visit our school attendance webpage.

My child struggled with attendance last year and had to miss school due to her disability and suffered anxiety on returning. In my experience, working together with the school when the reasons for absence are more serious has been really helpful.

Teachers have been there before with other children, and they have expertise to support families. I would urge anyone facing attendance challenges to speak up and ask for help.

I know it can feel stressful, but every day in education is important and that goes beyond what children learn – it also teaches determination and self-discipline which are just as important to success as exam results.

If your child is facing back-to-school worries, clinical psychologist Dr Nihara Krause has shared some useful ways you can help manage these.

Keep mornings calm by preparing as much as possible the night before (uniforms, packed lunches, school bags and PE kits) to reduce stress and set a positive tone for the day. Aim to wake up ten to 15 minutes earlier on the first day back so there’s no need to rush.

Create a warm, steady routine with breakfast together, a quiet chat, and a moment to check in on how your child is feeling. Maintaining a relaxed tone yourself also helps, as children often “borrow” their emotional cues from adults. A smooth, unhurried morning lowers stress and helps children walk into school feeling steadier and more confident.

Communication is key, so try to keep checking in with your child in the run up to the return to school. Listen carefully to what’s on their mind, and help them break their concerns into smaller, manageable steps you can work through together. This helps them feel supported and understood.

Don’t forget to highlight the positives of returning to school like seeing friends, their favourite lessons and enjoyable routines like after school activities.

Regular attendance is one of the strongest foundations for success in learning, wellbeing and future life chances.

Your child’s future starts at school, so don’t suffer in silence if you’re struggling with attendance – reach out to school staff to find out how they can help.