Attendance - why it matters

Regular attendance at school is the single most important factor in a child/children making appropriate progress and achieving success. Good, regular and punctual attendance means doing well academically, developing better relationships with other children and positive behaviour. It also sets up good habits for when young people enter into work and life.

Annually, prizes are announced for several categories to recognise consistently high attendance throughout the academic year.  Last year there were many pupils who achieved 100% attendance and names are drawn out of a hat during a full school assembly; the winner of each house received a prize.

House Winner: Hodder    
Form winner: Mr Scott’s form, D2    

This time we also gave four prizes out for pupils who gained at least 97%.

So why is attendance so important?  Here are the facts:

1. Good attendance means being in school at least 97% of the time or between 180 and 190 days.
2. 90% attendance may sound good, but it is the same as missing half a day each week or four weeks off  school each year. During five years at school this would add up to missing half a year.
3. A child on holiday for two weeks during term time will miss 50 one hour lessons.
4. There are 190 school days each year, that leaves 175 days not in school for holidays.
5. 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two weeks of school.

There is clear evidence of a link between poor attendance at school and low levels of achievement. For example, pupils who miss between 10% and 20% of school, only 35% manage to achieve five grade 9 to 4 GCSEs, including English and Maths.

Attendance & Inclusion Manager, Mrs Swire, said: “We have been really impressed with our attendance, especially this school year.” 

‘“We reward students by giving award points out every week to the form with the highest attendance. At the end of each term and half term various prizes are awarded to individual pupils during house and full school assemblies.

This year we are introducing another prize of a breakfast voucher which will be awarded throughout the year which I am sure will go down well!”

“We do everything we can to encourage pupils to attend school on a regular basis as we know how important it is to their education. Students are more likely to succeed academically when they attend school punctually and consistently.”

ATTENDANCE LINE  01772 320271

Did you know that the attendance line is not just for letting us know if your child is ill and therefore will not be in school.  You can call and leave a message if:

• Your child will be late for any reason
• Your child has a medical appointment, either that day or at a later date
• You require a leave of absence request form
• Updates on absence due to illness/hospital stays
• Any other reason why your child may not be in school.

Please leave a message on the voicemail for Mrs Garnham, the Attendance Officer, stating your name and contact number plus your child’s name, form and reason.  Mrs Garnham will get back to you if necessary.

BEING LATE

Please note that the school day starts at 08.40am. In accordance with Lancashire County Council  guidelines, children who arrive in school after 08.40am without a genuine reason* will be marked as ‘late’ in the register and will receive a break detention that day.

*Pupils delayed on school transport excepted

SICKNESS/APPOINTMENTS

Please could we remind parents to telephone school on 01772 320271 and leave a message if your child is unwell or has an appointment before school commences. Where possible please book a dental or medical appointment after school or in the holidays. If this is not possible please make sure your child attends school before and after the appointment and brings a note signed by the parent confirming where they have been.

Image on previous page shows: D2 Form Tutor Mr Scott, Mrs Swire Attendance Manager, and Mrs Bailey Head of Hodder House.