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You may have noticed the above logo when visiting our website recently and also if you follow us on X (formerly Twitter).
We cannot stress enough the importance of good school attendance and how it has a positive impact on your children.
The link between attendance and attainment is clear:
• In 2018/19, just 40% of persistently absent children in KS2 achieved expected KS2 standards, compared with 84% of pupils who were regular attenders.
• And 36% of persistently absent children in KS4 got 9 to 4 in their English and maths GCSEs, also compared with 84% of regular attenders.
And it’s never too late to benefit from good attendance:
• More than half (54%) of pupils who were persistently absent in Year 10 and then rarely absent in Year 11, passed at least 5 GCSEs, compared to 36% of pupils who were persistently absent in both years.
But attendance is important for more than just attainment:
• Regular school attendance can facilitate positive peer relationships, which is a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing.
Below are a list of links to further resources:
Guidance
- Working together to improve school attendance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- School behaviour and attendance: parental responsibility measures - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Is my child too ill for school?- NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools- GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Letter to school leaders on mild illness and school attendance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Toolkit for schools: communicating with families to support attendance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Resources
- Why is school attendance important and what support is available? - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
- Access your school attendance data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff- The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
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