The Importance of Attending School Every Day

At Woodplumpton St Annes Primary School, we believe that regular school attendance is crucial for the academic success and personal development of our pupils.

Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for learning, social interaction and growth. Consistent attendance helps children build strong foundations in their education, leading to better understanding of the curriculum, improved grades, and the development of lifelong learning habits,

Missing school can disrupt not only your child's learning but also their friendships and social skills. It can lead to gaps in knowledge that may be difficult to fill later on. Additionally, being present in school fosters a sense of belonging and community, allowing pupils to engage fully with their peers and teachers. It is also a good life skill and habit to get ready for the world of work.

We encourage all parents to prioritise school attendance and to support their children in making it a habit. Should you have any concerns or need assistance in improving attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff.

Thankyou for your commitment to your child's learning journey.

Our Attendance Policy can be found in the policy section of our school website.

Punctuality

At Woodplumpton St Annes Primary School, we emphasise the importance of punctuality as a key aspect of a successful school experience. Arriving on time each day not only helps children start their learning promptly but also fosters good habits that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers. We encourage parents to ensure that their children arrive at school at 8.55am so they can settle in and engage with their classmates before lessons begin. Regular tardiness can disrupt not only the child's learning but also that of their peers and the flow of the school day. We appreciate your cooperation in promoting timely arrivals, as this contributes to a positive and productive school environment for all.

Did you know - if you are 15 minutes late for school each day you will have missed a full two weeks of school in one year?

Persistent Absenteeism = 90%

Children who miss 19 days during the school year (38 sessions) are classified by the Government as persistent absentees. Generally, children who are persistently absent from school do not perform as well as their peers in national assessments and may struggle to establish friendship groups.

It is almost impossible for a child to catch up on missed learning because the teacher will be focused on moving learning forwards for the other pupils. If your child is close to 90% we will help by making home visits and providing learning.

Our school closely monitors every child's attendance and cooperates with families whose children are at risk of becoming persistent absentees. We offer help and support, and we ask that parents, in line with the Government's expectations, engage with the school to ensure their child does not miss out on their education.

We maintain a strong partnership with the local authority attendance officer. If we are unable to find a solution to improve a pupil's attendance, we will request their assistance to work collaboratively with the family.

We monitor attendance every Friday.

Local Authority Absence Penalty

* Penalty notices are not just given for holiday absence. It is for a length of unauthorised absence.

* Penalty notices issued for offences that take place after 19 August 2024 will be charged at a rate of £160 per parent per child. This can be paid at £80 if paid within 21 days.

* Any second penalty notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period will be issued at the rate of £160 to be paid within 28 days with no option for a discounted rate.

* The threshold at which a penalty notice must be considered is set at 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. This may include absences as a result of arriving late after the register closes. The 10 school weeks may span different terms of school years.

* A maximum of 2 penalty notices may be issued to a parent for the same child within a rolling 3 year period, so at the 3rd (or subsequent offence(s) another course of action will need to be considered (such as prosecution or one of the other attendance legal interventions).