What you are facing is a problem for many families. However it is a parent’s duty to make sure their child attends school every day during term-time and the government is getting tough on those who fail. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their compulsory school-age children are receiving a full-time education and that the child’s attendance is regular and punctual.
Many teens are unaware of the law and a gentle reminder now and again can have positive effects – especially as police now have powers to return truants to school – how embarrassing! However your son seems to have stayed at home so I assume you leave for work before he sets off for school – or that he returns home after you have left.
Were you contacted by the school? An increasing number of schools have a policy of phoning home on the first day of absence. If your son’s school doesn’t, you have a right to insist that your child’s form teacher contact you immediately if there is an absence. The sooner you know about a problem the sooner it can be resolved. And you really do need tonip this behaviour in the bud and set up a meeting with your child’s head of year or form teacher as soon as possible.
There are many reasons why a child may be truanting. A lot of teens complain about school being boring but in reality they truant for a number of reasons including:
These are all concerns that should be addressed with the school. If he really hates school you need to work out a strategy to help him with the aid of his teachers.
You need to be proactive at home as well. Talk to him about his schoolwork and what he is studying. Ask about his friendships. Does he have any ideas about what he would like to do when he leaves school? If so, find out about the qualifications he’d need – this could make subjects more relevant to him.
Apart from the loss of education a truant is also vulnerable to crime or he may become a law-breaker. So it really is important to get your son re-engaged with school. If you can't resolve with the head of year or if you think the form teacher may be part of the problem make an appointment to see the head. Have a list of points you want to make and make notes during the meeting. I’m sure the school will want to help improve your son’s attendance record.