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<p>Regular attendance at school is vital for children’s education, wellbeing and long-term
development. School attendance is mandatory and parents have a duty, under Section
7 of the Education Act 1996, to ensure that their child of compulsory age, from 5
to 16 years old, receives an efficient full-time education.</p><p> </p><p>During their
time in school, pupils should be able to benefit from a range of work experience placements
as part of the wider curriculum. The careers statutory guidance makes it clear that
schools and colleges should offer every pupil at least one experience of a workplace
by age 16 and a further experience by age 18 through work visits, work shadowing and/or
work experience, in line with Gatsby Benchmark 6. This provides pupils with multiple
opportunities to learn from different employers about work and the skills that are
valued in the workplace.</p><p> </p><p>Where a pupil is not attending school regularly,
the department expects schools and local authorities to consider the individual circumstances
of each pupil and family, and take the best course of action to support the child’s
return to school. The department would encourage parents to work with their child’s
school and the local authority to discuss the reasons behind their absence and together
agree a plan so that the right support can be put in place to help the child return
to regular and consistent education.</p><p> </p><p>Ultimately, the local authority
has the duty, under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, to provide education for
compulsory aged children. Vocational placements, as part of an alternative provision
offer, can provide a valuable ‘hook’ back into learning, as well as providing essential
life skills for some of our most disengaged learners.</p><p> </p><p>At post-16, pupils
have access to a range of work placement opportunities. Thousands of young people
have benefited from world-class T Levels, all of which include a meaningful industry
placement with an employer of at least 45 days.</p>
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