The law says you are allowed to go to school for the whole day once you are 5 years old, and that you must do so once you are 6. This applies to students with special educational needs also. However, if you have special needs you may not feel able to attend the whole day. The principal can let you leave school early but you must attend for at least four hours each day. The principal can also let you leave early if you are going to do an education course somewhere else for the rest of the day. It is against the law for your school to tell you to stay at home on days when there is no teacher aide to help you[7]. You only have to stay at home if you are stood-down or suspended by the principal[8]. For more information about stand-downs and suspensions, see our information sheet, Kicked out of School”.

[7] Refer to YouthLaw’s opinion on sending students home from school (available from YouthLaw: contact details at the end of this information sheet).