TO REPORT ATTENDANCE:

Call: 01622 754 666 - Option 1

Email: absence@abc.aquilatrust.co.uk

Urgent Update 

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance and punctuality are essential for every child.  Children should come to school every day and  on time that school is open unless absolutely unavoidable. Promoting excellent attendance is the duty of everyone; parents/ carers, staff and pupils.  Occasionally children can be reluctant to come to school,  we would encourage parents to discuss this with the class teacher or Mrs Gooding.

Why is regular school attendance so important for my child?

Regular attendance at school means that your child can make the most of their education and improve their chances in adult life. School can also help your child’s social skills such as making and developing friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they enter the world of work.

The link between attendance and attainment in school is clear. The more a pupil is in school the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Is my child too ill to come to school?

Please use this link for NHS guidance on when a child should be absent, for how long plus additional advice for parents.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Absence and anxiety

The Dfe have reported  that there is a recognition that ‘more children may be absent from school due to symptoms of anxiety than before the pandemic. Worry and mild or moderate anxiety, whilst sometimes difficult emotions, can be a normal part of growing up for many children and young people. Being in school can often help alleviate the underlying issues. A prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending in the future, rather than reduce it.’ If you feel that your child is struggling please contact Mrs Gooding or speak directly to Mrs Heather.

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 states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may a head teacher grant permission for leave. 

Click here for our Attendance Policy