Parents

How can I get involved in my child's school?
What should I do if my child cannot go to school?
What will the school do if my child misses a lot of school?
What is the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB)?
What will the National Educational Welfare Board do if my child misses a lot of school?
Can I take my child on holidays during term time?
What happens if we move and my child has to change school?
How can I support the teachers and principal?
What should I do if I have a complaint against a teacher or the school?

How can I get involved in my child's school?

You can support the work of your child's school in many ways. The most important way is to be interested in and support your child's educational progress.

You can also get involved in your school's Parents' Association. As a member of the Parents' Association, you can help to:

• develop school policies;
• support school activities such as sports and cultural events;
• give talks to students on topics where you have knowledge and expertise; and
• escort students on tours. 

The school will tell you when and where the Parents' Association meets. For more information about the role of the Parents' Association, please click here.

What should I do if my child cannot go to school?

You must tell the school that your child cannot attend and say why. Write a short note to the school to explain why your child was out and send it in with your child when they go back to school. There is usually a good reason for a child not being in school, such as illness.

What will the school do if my child misses a lot of school?

The school must tell the National Educational Welfare Board if your child has missed 20 days or more in the school year or if it is concerned that your child is missing too much school.

What is the National Educational Welfare Board?

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was set up in 2002 to make sure that every child either attends school regularly or receives an education or training. One of its main roles is to encourage and support a child or parent if there is a difficulty with school attendance. The law says that every child from the age of 6 must receive an education. Children must attend school until either they reach 16 years of age or they complete three years of post-primary education.

What will the National Educational Welfare Board do if my child misses a lot of school?

If the school tells the National Educational Welfare Board that your child has missed 20 or more days of school in a year, the NEWB will investigate the reasons for the absences and will arrange to meet with you if necessary.

Can I take my child on holidays during term time?

Taking a holiday during term time means that your child will miss important school time. It will be difficult for them to catch up on their studies later on. As a result, they may fall behind with school work and lose confidence in their abilities. The National Educational Welfare Board strongly advises parents not to take their child out of school for holidays during term time.

What happens if we move and my child has to change school?

Before you leave, ask the principal to give you a report on your child's progress. You should also return any school books or other items that the school gave you.

When you enrol your child in a new school, give the principal a copy of the report from the last school. It is also a good idea to contact schools in the area you are moving to and make sure your child has a school place before you move.

How can I support the teachers and principal?

Here are some ways you can help:

• Make sure your child goes to school.
• Make yourself familiar with the school rules and code of behaviour.
• If the school has a uniform, make sure your child wears it.
• Make sure your child does his or her homework.
• Respect the professional views of the principal and teachers.
• If your child has difficulties in school, contact the school as soon as possible to discuss the problem.
• Tell the school about any changes in your child?s health, emotional wellbeing, circumstances or behaviour.
• Let the school know if your family is leaving the area.
  

What should I do if I have a complaint against a teacher or the school?

It is important that there are good relations between home and school. With mutual respect and goodwill, you and the school can sort out most problems by discussing them. If you cannot resolve your complaint at school level, you might want to make a formal complaint to the school's board of management.

Schools have formal procedures for dealing with complaints against teachers or the school. The school principal can tell you what steps you need to take to make your complaint.