The Importance of Good School Attendance

Regular school attendance is essential for children’s academic achievement, wellbeing, social development and future opportunities. Good attendance helps children to:

• Build strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics
• Develop friendships and social skills
• Improve confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing
• Establish positive routines and habits for later life
• Achieve their full potential academically and personally

Research consistently shows a strong link between attendance and attainment. Even missing a small amount of school can affect a child’s progress. Children who attend school regularly are more likely to feel connected, secure and successful.

The Department for Education (DfE) states that school attendance is everyone’s responsibility and that schools, families, local authorities and communities should work together to promote excellent attendance.

Government Guidance on Attendance

The main statutory guidance for schools in England is:
“Working Together to Improve School Attendance” published by the Department for Education.

The guidance emphasises:

Early identification of attendance concerns

Building positive relationships with families

Providing support before legal intervention is considered

Maintaining a culture where good attendance is valued

Schools are expected to:

• Monitor attendance closely
• Follow up unexplained absences promptly
• Work with families where attendance becomes a concern
• Support pupils who are persistently absent
• Promote a whole-school culture of attendance

The DfE defines:

• Persistent absence as attendance below 90%
• Severe absence as attendance below 50%

• Persistent absence can significantly affect children’s learning, confidence and long-term outcomes. Schools are encouraged to identify concerns early and work collaboratively with families to remove barriers to attendance.

Parents’ Legal Responsibilities

Under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives a suitable education and attends school regularly.

Schools may authorise absence in limited circumstances, such as:

Illness

Medical appointments

Religious observance

Exceptional circumstances approved by the headteacher

Family holidays or visiting relatives during term time are generally not authorised.

 

Working Together with Families

Strong partnerships between home and school are vital in promoting excellent attendance. We will:

Communicate clearly with parents and carers

Offer support where barriers exist

Encourage good attendance

Ensure children feel safe, happy and motivated to attend school

Parents and carers play a crucial role by:

Establishing good routines

Ensuring children arrive on time each day

Avoiding unnecessary absence

Communicating concerns with school promptly

Excellent attendance gives children the very best chance to succeed both academically and socially.

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