Attendance Matters – Every Day Counts

We are very pleased to share that our attendance over the past 7 days has been a strong 96%. Thank you to all families for helping children arrive on time and ready to learn each day. This shows what we can achieve together.

However, when we look at attendance across the full academic year, our overall figure currently stands at 94.2%. This is below both local and national averages and places us lower than we would want to be compared with other schools. We know, as a community, that we can do better for our children.

Why attendance matters

Every day in school counts. Learning is carefully planned so that knowledge builds step by step. Missing even occasional days can make it harder for children to keep up, feel confident and fully benefit from school life.

Good attendance also supports:

• strong friendships and wellbeing
• confidence and routines
• progress in reading, writing and maths
• participation in trips, clubs and special events

What does “Persistent Absence” mean?

A child is classed as Persistently Absent if they miss 10% or more of school sessions across the year. This is the equivalent of around 1 day every two weeks.

Currently, our Persistent Absence figure is 15.6%, meaning too many pupils are missing a significant amount of learning time.

What does attendance really look like?

A child with 90% attendance may sound as though they attend most of the time, but it actually means missing nearly 4 weeks of school in one year.

How families can help

• Keep routines consistent, especially bedtime and morning routines
• Book medical appointments outside school hours where possible
• Avoid holidays during term time
• Talk to us early if there are worries affecting attendance
• Ensure children arrive on time every day

We are here to help

We understand that sometimes there can be genuine challenges affecting attendance. If you are finding it difficult to support your child’s regular attendance, please do get in touch. Our Home School Link Worker, Julie, is here to help and work alongside families to find practical solutions. Julie can be contacted via the school office and is also available at the school gate each morning.

Working together

We know that every family wants the very best for their child, and so do we. Thank you for your continued support. By working together, we can improve attendance, maximise learning opportunities and help every child thrive.

Have a great weekend.

Cathy Bell
Headteacher