Regular and punctual school attendance is essential. Pupils need to attend school regularly if they are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them by law. St Michael with St John CE Primary School fully recognises its responsibilities to ensure pupils are in school and on time, therefore having access to learning for the maximum number of days and hours.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

ATTENDANCE AND ATTAINMENT GO TOGETHER!

Every day a child is absent from school equates to a day of lost learning. Attendance percentages can be misleading. For some parents, 90% may seem like an acceptable level of attendance, but the reality is that 90% attendance means your child will miss half a school day each week or 19 days of school during the year – that’s nearly 4 school weeks.

The table below provides an overview of what percentages for attendance actually mean:

HOW DOES ATTENDANCE AFFECT OUTCOMES FOR PUPILS?

Being in school is important for your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. The higher a pupil’s attendance, the more they are likely to learn, and the better they are likely to perform in exams.

Evidence shows that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A Level results. Government research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well. 

The data also showed that primary school children at the end of Year 6 who didn’t achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths missed on average four more days per school year than those whose performance exceeded the expected standard. 

To enable children to reach their full potential it is vital that they attend school regularly. It is very important that we work together to make sure that children, whatever their age, come to school on time and for every day possible.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO IMPROVE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE?

We know that sometimes children can’t come to school because they are really unwell - and that's the right thing to do for them and other children. However, children with mild illness will often be well enough to attend - for example if they have a cough, or cold, without a temperature. The NHS guidance Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk) is designed to support parents in their decision making about mild illness. 

Parents and carers can also help by ensuring that non-urgent medical appointments are made out of school time. Also, that holidays and trips abroad are made in the school holidays.

PARENTS SHOULD NOT KEEP CHILDREN OFF FROM SCHOOL FOR:

X   Unauthorised visits abroad or any other unauthorised absence.

X   Taking children on other trips or holidays that can be cheaper during term time.

X   Shopping trips or to buy new clothes or uniform.

X   Visits to the airport to take or collect relatives.

X   Keeping a child of school due to a parent being unwell – alternative arrangements must be made.

TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS

The night before school:

• Make sure that your child’s school bag, lunch and uniform are ready.
• Have a good bedtime routine that enables your child to get to bed at a reasonable time and is relaxed enough to sleep.
• Set the alarm on your mobile phone or alarm clock for the morning.

Before school every day:

• Get up on time so that you won’t be rushing and your child will be on time and not late.
• Get your child to eat some breakfast every morning or come to breakfast club.
• Set off early to allow for traffic – think is it best to walk rather than come in the car as it is very busy around school?
• If your child says they don’t want to go to school explain that they have to and that you will get a message to the class teacher if anything is concerning them.
• You know your child best; only keep your child at home if they are really sick.
• If you have kept your child at home and during the day they are no longer ill, they should be brought back into school.

Follow this good morning routine:

1. Get up on time
2. Breakfast
3. Teeth and Wash
4. Uniform
5. Bag, coat and lunchbox
6. Leave home on time

Thank you for your support!

The following documents provide useful information about attendance expectations at our school.