Attending school every day makes it easier for students to acquire learning and studying habits as well as socialising peers and being friends with other children. If a child doesn’t acquire some basic learning skills in the first education years they will have less possibilities to have a good job in the future. Nowadays, the access to almost any kind of job will involves having been successful at least in one’s obligatory school education. The regular attendance to the school will help students to have more opportunities to get a good job as well as acquiring the necessary social skills.. Should I send my child to school every day? YES unless:

• They are sick.

• They are injured.

• They have an infectious disease such as chicken pox, mumps or measles.

Does my child need to attend sport?

YES, Physical Education is central to the physical development of children. Sports are a part of school activities which the students should not miss.

Your child should not miss school in order to:

• Work
• Attend a birthday
• Take care of other children
• Get a haircut
• Act as translator or mediator for other family members.

You should always try to schedule medical appointments after the school.

What should I do if our family holidays fall during the school period?

The families should try to organise their holidays during the periods of school vacations. If it is only possible to organize their family holidays during the school period, You should inform the director of the school in advance and to request permission so that their child is absent. You can request to the school that gives to their child tasks or duties to do while they are absent.

My child doesn't want to go to the school. What should I do?

You should contact your child’s school head as soon as possible to talk the matter through and find a solution.

What can parents do?

• If your child is worried about attending school you should accompany them to get familiar with the school and to meet the teacher before the classes begin.

• It is very useful to achieve the schools assistance in the effort to help the child to feel less apprehensive about school. Look for a person that can help your child to overcome that feeling of apprehension and try to involve the teacher in the process.

• Don’t refuse to accept your child’s feelings of apprehension or anguish. Acknowledge them and try to put forward a calm assertive message, “I know that you are afraid about me not coming to pick you up. Don’t worry. I will be there.”

• You will have to find ways to encourage him to go to school. For example: it is probable that they feel surer if a certain fix schedule to call their mother or father from schools set. In extreme cases, the mother or father can remain at school with his son during a certain time that will gradually decrease.

• It is very important to let your child know exactly what will happen. There should not be any “cheating” or surprises; if children are asked to stay at school during one hour and their parents promise him to come after that time, delays will trigger apprehension so parents should always stick to the original deal they made with the child, otherwise the child will be suspicious and anxious about future deals.

• Punishment doesn’t really work. On the other hand, assertive • explanation and rational negotiation does.

• Don’t ask children why they are afraid. In general terms, they don’t • know why. In most cases the fact of not being to provide an answer, will make them feel anguish and blame for not being able to explain what happens. It is better to recognize that there is no reason to be afraid. You should help your child to understand and acknowledge that there is no rational cause for being afraid.

• The child’s refusal to go to the school can upset their parents. Anger • may prove counteractive. The best thing would be to adopt specific measures to try to help the child.

When should we seek professional help?

If your child is under stress, sad and bears physical symptoms before leaving for the school or he has problems sleeping, it is time to look for professional counseling. Don’t blame yourself for not being able to find the way to deal with your child’s difficulties. Resorting to counseling is the wisest decision in such cases. Contact the schools counseling team.

What are the possible case scenarios when your child attends school for the first time?

• If the student has never entered any educational system, the Junta de Andalucía Education authority will look into the case and will assign a school and course.

• If a student who has previously attended school in any other educational system, they do not need any authentication documents to do so in primary school education and Obligatory secondary school education (Spanish ESO). The eligibility of students will entirely be left at the school’s discretion. Criteria such as age and previous knowledge will be taken into account to assign the student a level. It will be necessary to validate the student’s foreign diploma if they intend to enrol in a course accessible only to those with their Titulo de Graduado rn Educacion Secundaria o de Bachiller (similar to the British A-levels).

(For more information refer to the Authentication and validation section of this topic)