Here, Every day, Ready and On-time 

Regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being, maximises progress in learning and helps pupils reach their potential. The attendance pattern for all children is monitored daily with the school seeking to work actively with parents to ensure a regular pattern is maintained. One of our basic principles is to celebrate success. Good attendance is fundamental to a successful and fulfilling school experience. For our children to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered it is vital that our pupils are Here, Every day, Ready and On-time unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

All children have the right to an education and we have put in place appropriate procedures to support this. We believe that the most important factor in promoting good attendance is the development of positive attitudes towards school and learning.

Good attendance is important because:

• Statistics show a direct link between under-achievement and absence below 95%
• Regular attenders make better progress, both socially and academically
• Regular attenders find school routines, school work and friendships easier to cope with
• Regular attenders find learning more satisfying
• Regular attenders are most successful in transferring between primary school,secondary school, higher education and employment or training

As a School, we will:

• Follow up unexplained absences by phone calls and letters as necessary
• Remind parents of the importance of regular attendance and punctuality in our letters, parent evenings, Home-School Agreement and pupil reports
• Publish our attendance rate in the school newsletter
• Acknowledge and reward good attendance
• Publish your child’s attendance rate on her/his annual school report
• Let you know if we have concerns regarding your child’s attendance and punctuality
• If we continue to have concerns make a referral to the Local Authority 

How can parents/carers encourage Good Attendance?

Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children are punctual for school. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Establish a Routine: Set consistent bedtimes and wake-up times to ensure your child gets enough sleep and wakes up refreshed.
2. Prepare the Night Before: Lay out clothes, pack school bags, and prepare lunches the night before to reduce morning stress.
3. Set Alarms: Use alarms or reminders to help your child stay on schedule in the morning.
4. Create a Morning Checklist: Make a checklist of morning tasks (e.g., brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast) to help your child stay organized.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward your child for being on time to encourage punctuality.
6. Lead by Example: Model punctuality by being on time yourself and demonstrating the importance of being prompt.
7. Plan appointments Outside of school hours – Where possible, schedule medical and dental appointments after school or during school holidays
8. Communicate the Importance: Explain to your child why being on time is crucial for their learning and overall success.
9. Seek support if needed – If you are struggling with attendance due to personal circumstances reach out to the school for advice and support

By implementing these strategies, parents can help their children develop good habits and ensure they arrive at school on time.