We want our children to enjoy coming to school. Our attendance ‘target’ is 96%, but we always aim for 100%. Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success. Absence from school is often the greatest single cause of poor performance and achievement. 

At Water Primary, we want to make sure our children achieve academically but are also set up with life skills.  We want children to experience many opportunities and learn skills which ensure they are ready for the world. 

Regular attendance to school is key for our children to continue to achieve academically but to also enable them to develop socially and emotionally

Why is it so important to attend every day?

• Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s).
• Reading the material and completing work independently does not compensate for direct interaction with the teacher and other pupils.
• Many classes use discussions, demonstrations, experiments and participation as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up by those who are absent.
• Pupils with good attendance records generally achieve higher grades and enjoy school more.
• Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life.
• Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behaviour.
• Setting good attendance patterns will also help your child later on. Employers want to recruit people who are reliable. Children who have a poor school attendance record may have less chance of getting a good job.

What are the risks of frequent absences?

• A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work which means they will not make as much academic progress as they could.

• Pupils will miss out on social interactions with their friends. Poor attendance can affect children’s ability to make and keep friendships, a vital part of growing up.

• Pupils will miss out on opportunities such as clubs, educational visits and wider experiences.

What can parents do to help?

• Parents should model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.
• Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time-you will establish a good habit that they will carry through life.
• If your child starts missing school, work with the school to put things right.
• Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of him/her missing school.
• If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact school immediately.
• Take an interest in your child’s work and be involved in the school as much as possible-your child will value school more if you do

If your child misses 3.5 days of school each HALF TERM regularly over their school life (from 5-15 years) they will miss in TOTAL 4 terms of education.

That is almost 1.5 years in TOTAL.

THE SAME ABSENCE OCCURS IF YOUR CHILD IS 30 minutes late ONCE EACH WEEK!

Please note that although, as a school, we do not directly fine parents for poor attendance/holidays. Due to the increased numbers of holiday requests, this may be re-evaluated and adopted in order to reduce holidays taken during term time.