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Attendance Matters!

At All Saints, we believe that excellent attendance is key to helping children thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally. Each school day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. When children attend regularly, they are more confident, secure, and better prepared for the future.

Our approach to attendance is rooted in our SHINE values:
🌟 Service – We work together in partnership with families.
🌟 Hope – We believe every child can succeed, no matter their circumstances.
🌟 Integrity – We follow fair, consistent procedures.
🌟 Nurture – We offer support with empathy and care.
🌟 Excellence – We aim for the highest outcomes for all.


📊 Why Attendance Matters

Even small amounts of missed school can have a big impact over time:

Attendance Rate Days Missed Per Year Impact
100% 0 days Excellent – your child is making the most of school life.
95% ~10 days Can begin to affect learning and progress.
90% ~19 days Equivalent to nearly a month of missed learning – serious risk of falling behind.
Below 90% 20+ days Classified as Persistent Absence – likely to impact academic achievement, wellbeing, and friendships.

 


🔍 Our Attendance Procedures

We monitor attendance closely to ensure early support can be offered when needed. Our procedures include:

  • Daily registration by class teachers.

  • First-day calling for any unexplained absences.

  • Regular reviews by our Attendance Lead to identify patterns of concern.

  • Letters, phone calls, or meetings to discuss ongoing issues.

  • Referral to the Local Authority if attendance does not improve after school support.

We understand there may be genuine reasons for absence and always take a compassionate and case-by-case approach.


💬 Reporting Absences

If your child is unwell or unable to attend school:

  1. Call the school office before 8:30am and leave a message with your child’s name, class, and reason for absence.

  2. Please update us daily until your child returns to school.

  3. For planned absences (e.g. medical appointments), notify us in advance and bring evidence (e.g. appointment letter).

Please note: Holidays during term time will not be authorised except in exceptional circumstances.


🤝 Working Together to Support You

We recognise that barriers to good attendance are sometimes complex. At All Saints, we’re here to support, not judge. If you're experiencing difficulties that are impacting your child’s attendance — whether emotional, medical, or logistical — we encourage you to speak to us early. We can offer:

  • 1:1 support for families

  • Early Help referrals

  • Pastoral and emotional wellbeing support

  • Links with external agencies and services


💡 Our Commitment

Our mission is to maximise the life chances of every child. Attending school regularly is one of the most important steps in doing just that. When children are in school, they’re not just learning – they’re building friendships, confidence, and lifelong values.

Let’s work together to make every day count.

 

The links below may help you in making decisions about your child's attendance.

Is my child too ill for school?

How long should I keep my child off school for?

A letter from the chief medical officer