To be this worried about my son's absence?

[Sowing747]

My DS15 is in Y10 and has mocks coming up shortly.

He is bright, sporty and organised, but his absences this academic year have really stacked up and his average is currently 92%. In a recent school talk we were told that, although 95% minimum was acceptable officially, it should be higher when you get to Y10 if you want to do ok.

He spent most of yesterday evening working on three homework assignments then apparently slept really badly and was in a right state this morning, so he's off today.

He wants to start a monthly gym membership and I'd like to say it will have to wait until he can get his attendance up to 97%. On the other hand, going to the gym regularly gives structure to his week and is a great stress reliever (although he also plays rugby three times a week).

AIBU to postpone this gym membership?

I have had work men at the back of my house cutting the trees on the train line with chain saws and all sorts from 11pm to 5am last week monday through to friday waking my children and keeping me up most the night. They still went to school even if my youngest is anemic and was almost falling asleep on his desk by friday and i was srill at work. When his an adult holding down a job he will need to suck it up because he has bills to pay it should be the same principle now when he has grades to achieve. If his not in school his not learning. Do not let him slack off for being tired if he aint dying make him go.

I have to say I do find this constant wailing from schools and teachers about the oss missed day or lesson to be rather tiresome. In all truth, having 92% attendance instead of 95% is not going to affect someone's educational success. I'd argue that having days off to make extra-curricular visits or even just to relax could actually improve it.

Unless the DC concerned has severe learning difficulties, there are now countless methods which can be used to catch up on any work missed. Many of these methods will actually take over from traditional teachers as the primary learning method anyway IMO.

Maybe the odd day should be ok, but 92% is more than that. There comes a point where needing to catch up becomes a barrier to continued progress, undermining confidence and learning. That itself becomes a reason not to attend and so on. The resources may be available but those most at risk probably would not use them.