Call: 01622 754 666 

Email: absence@abc.aquilatrust.co.uk

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, we recognise that outstanding attendance and punctuality are vital for every pupil's success. Pupils are expected to attend school every day and arrive on time, unless there are unavoidable circumstances. Promoting excellent attendance is a shared responsibility among parents, carers, staff, and pupils. If a pupil is hesitant to attend school, we encourage parents to speak with the class teacher or Mrs. Gooding for support.

Why is Regular School Attendance Important for My Child?

Consistent attendance at school is crucial for your child’s educational success and future opportunities. Regular school attendance not only enhances academic learning but also fosters essential social skills, such as forming and nurturing friendships. Establishing a routine of punctuality and attendance will better prepare your child for the responsibilities of the workplace.

The connection between attendance and academic achievement is evident. The more frequently a pupil attends school, the greater their chances of reaching their full potential.

Is My Child Too Ill to Attend School?

For guidance on determining whether your child should be absent from school due to illness, including how long they should stay home and additional advice for parents, please refer to the NHS resources available at the following link:

NHS Guidance on Child Illness and School Attendance

Absence and Anxiety

The Department for Education (DfE) has acknowledged that more children may be absent from school due to anxiety symptoms than prior to the pandemic. While feelings of worry and mild to moderate anxiety can be normal developmental experiences for many children and young people, attending school can often help alleviate these underlying issues. In fact, a prolonged absence is likely to increase a child's anxiety about returning rather than decrease it.

If you believe your child is experiencing difficulties, please reach out to Mrs. Gooding or speak directly with Mrs. Heather for support.

Persistent Absence

A child who only attends school for 90% or less of the time is classed as a Persistent Absentee.

90% might sound great, but Jack's story shows us why it's not:

Jack is a child who attends school for 90% of the time. His parents think this is quite good. However, 90% attendance is the same as being absent from school for a half day every week.

Over a whole school year Jack would miss four weeks of lessons. Jack would also spend more time away from school over the year than in school!

If Jack's attendance for all the years he went to school was 90% he would have missed 209 days of school, that's more than a whole school year!

So why does persistent absence matter?

Missing school has a huge impact on how well a pupil gets on at school. The more school a child misses, the harder it is for them to get into a routine of attending regularly and catch up on the work they have missed.

Research shows that persistently absent children are less likely to do well at school, they are more likely to experience crime, either as a victim or perpetrator, struggle financially, and even suffer with poor health in later life.

A few days of absence now could have a huge impact on a child's future opportunities.

If you have any concerns and need help getting your child to school please speak to us at ABC, we want to help.

Request for Leave of Absence During Term Time

The law stipulates that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Permission for leave can only be granted by the headteacher in exceptional circumstances.

Click here for our Attendance Policy