Why high attendance matters:
High levels of attendance ensure continuity of learning and support the pupil’s personal development. Research shows that pupils with higher levels of school attendance are more likely to benefit from education, achieve better examination results both at primary and secondary school levels and go on to have more successful careers.
Similarly, irregular or poor attendance at school can lead to pupils underachieving and underperforming in examinations and therefore have a detrimental effect upon their careers. It can also hinder the maintenance of relationships within the pupil’s peer group.
Impact of Absence from school
Absence from school can be disruptive not only for the individual pupil but also for the pupil’s whole class. Whilst there may be occasions when a pupil is unable to attend school e.g. due to illness, all other absences should be kept to a minimum and if at all possible avoided. Absence can lead to gaps in learning which hinder future progress.
- Minimum attendance of 95% (10 days absence per year) means that during primary years the child will miss more than a term of education.
- If attendance is between 90% – 95% (10-20 days absence per year) it means that during primary years the child will miss 2 or more terms of education.
- If attendance is between 85%- 90% (20-30 days absence per year) it means that during primary years the child will miss over a year of education.
School attendance and the Education Act 1996
Section 7 of the Act requires all parents (and carers) of a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school to ensure that the child attends that school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so is an offence.
If your child is unwell or has a medical appointment please follow the absence policy that is saved in the the Key Information area of the website in the policies document.
Information on Penalty Notices for non-attendance at school Sept 2024