Headlines: 

Current attendance: 87.6% 

Same time last year: 86.8% 

So, the good news is we have improved since last year but the bad news is we are still below the national average 91.1%.  We need to do more.  Improving school attendance is everyone’s business and, to tackle the challenge we face, we need to work together. 

All students should aim to have at least 96% attendance.  This is good!  Well done to all of those students who have 96% or above!  Students who are in school regularly take part in clubs, are part of teams and experience so much more than just their normal day to day lessons. 

Anything less than 96% attendance means a student has had more than 6 days off since the start of September and this will start to affect a student’s progress.  6 days off school is 30 missed lessons or 30 hours of learning and associated experiences. 

We know that everyone can be poorly and sometimes need the day in bed to recover, but we want to build resilience and try to be in school even if they are not feeling 100%.  If your child is feeling under the weather, it can be hard to know if you should send them into school.  Unless they have a temperature of 38 degrees or above, they are usually good to go!  If in doubt, check the NHS school illness guidance for their symptoms to see if they should stay at home.  Remember, our job is to look after children when they are in school as well as help them learn. 

Attendance of less than 90% is classed as persistent absence.   

The link between attendance and attainment is clear:  

• In 2018/19, 36% of persistently absent (PA) children in KS4 got 9 to 4 in their English and Maths GCSEs, compared with 84% of regular attenders. 

And it’s never too late to benefit from good attendance: 

• When pupils’ attendance improves, the likelihood of achieving qualifications at the end of school massively increases.  More than half (54%) of pupils who were PA 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. 

We are dedicated to supporting strong attendance for the students at Barnwood Park so that they can build positive peer relationships, develop their confidence and receive an excellent education.  The benefits of being in school are numerous.  However, the pandemic disrupted attendance habits for some and we are still trying to get back to good habits.  School, parents/carers and students all need to work together to break down any barriers to attending school.  We also need to recognise if additional support is needed to improve attendance. 

The Education Hub (www.educationhub.blog.gov.uk) is a site for parents/carers, students, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You’ll find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics, Q&As, interviews, case studies, and more. 

These are a few good places to start: 

Why is school attendance so important and what are the risks of missing a day? - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk) 

How to improve your child’s school attendance and where to get support - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk) 

Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk) 

When you register your child at school, you have a legal duty to ensure your child attends that school regularly.  This means that your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless:  

• Your child is too ill to attend that day. 

• You have asked in advance and been given permission by school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances. 

• Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance. 

• Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet; or 

• You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school. In most circumstances, however, your child is required to attend another school temporarily during such absences. 

These are the only circumstances where schools can permit your child to be absent. 

At Barnwood Park we want to help every student achieve their best, in all areas, so they need to be in school to do this. 

Expectations:  

Providing Reasons for Absence - may we remind you that when phoning or emailing in for a student who is off school, we require an actual reason for the absence. If they attend and are too unwell to remain in school, then they will be seen by the First Aider who will contact you.   

Medical Appointments - If your child has an urgent appointment that cannot be taken out of school hours, they are still required to be in school both before and after the appointment where possible.   

Punctuality  

Lateness   

Making sure your child is at school and ready to learn, before the school bell rings, is vital to ensure they don't miss out on key learning and start their school day unsettled. We therefore expect students to arrive at school by 8.30am. Registration takes place in the form room at 8.40am. Students arriving between 8.40 - 9.05am will need to go to the canteen to sign in as late (L code) and their reason for lateness will be recorded. A 20 minute after school detention will be set as a consequence without good reason or medical evidence to support this.  

Students arriving after 9.05am will need to go to the main office and will be recorded as unauthorised late (U code). A 40 minute after school detention will be set as a consequence.  

To report a student absence, please call 01452 530389, press 1 or email attendance@barnwood-park.gloucs.sch.uk  

We understand that school mornings can be hectic, but...   

Did you know? Being 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two weeks of school!   

See our minutes lost calculator below to find out how much school you miss each year if you are late each day:   

LOST MINUTES = LOST LEARNING  

If you require any support with attendance concerns, please contact the Attendance Team at the earliest opportunity so that together we can support you and your child.