At Woodseaves CE Primary Academy, we believe that excellent attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential, develop positive relationships and enjoy all aspects of school life.

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We are proud of our strong attendance culture and work closely with families to ensure every child can attend school regularly and on time. We recognise that some children and families may face barriers to attendance and we are committed to working alongside parents to provide support and remove those barriers wherever possible.

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Our whole-school attendance target is 96%.

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Why Attendance Matters

Children who attend school regularly:

• Make better academic progress.

• Develop stronger friendships and social skills.

• Build confidence and resilience.

• Gain the greatest benefit from the rich curriculum and wider opportunities offered by the school.

 

Every day counts and even small amounts of absence can have a significant impact on a child's learning over time.

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School Day and Registration

The school day begins at 8:50am and children should arrive in good time to be settled and ready to learn. Our playground gates open at 8.30am.

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Registers are taken twice each day:

Morning register: 9:00am
Afternoon register: 1:10pm

Children arriving after the register has been taken will be recorded as late.

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The morning register closes at 9:30am. Pupils arriving after this time will receive an unauthorised late mark in line with statutory attendance guidance.

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Reporting an Absence

If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, please contact the school office before 9:00am on the first day of absence.

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Please provide:

• Your child's name.

• The reason for absence.

• The expected duration of the absence, where possible.

If we have not received a message explaining your child's absence, we will contact parents/carers as part of our safeguarding procedures. This may include contacting all emergency contacts and, where necessary, undertaking additional welfare checks to ensure a child is safe.

 

Illness

Children should attend school wherever possible.

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Minor illnesses are often manageable within the school day. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

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The school will not normally require medical evidence for illness absence. However, where there is reasonable doubt regarding the reason for absence, supporting evidence may be requested.

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Where a child is absent for more than three consecutive school days, or for more than ten school days within a term, parents may be asked to provide a written explanation.

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Medical and Dental Appointments

Parents are encouraged to arrange medical and dental appointments outside school hours whenever possible.

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Where appointments must take place during the school day, parents should notify the school in advance and children should attend school for as much of the day as possible.

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Leave of Absence During Term Time

The Department for Education is clear that children should not be taken out of school during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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Any request for leave of absence must be made in writing to the Headteacher in advance. Requests will be considered individually, taking account of the circumstances and the impact on the child's education.

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Family holidays taken during term time will not normally be authorised. Absence taken without approval will be recorded as unauthorised and may result in further action in line with Local Authority procedures.

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Supporting Good Attendance

We understand that attendance difficulties can arise for a variety of reasons and we are committed to working compassionately with families to address concerns at an early stage.

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Support may include:

• Meetings with parents and pupils.

• Attendance support plans.

• Pastoral support.

• Early Help services.

• Referrals to appropriate external agencies.

• Individualised support for pupils experiencing barriers to attendance.

• Attendance, SEND and Emotional Wellbeing

• Some children face additional challenges attending school because of:

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• Medical conditions.

• Mental health needs.

• Anxiety or Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

 

Where this is the case, we will work closely with pupils, parents and external professionals to identify barriers and create personalised support plans.

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Reasonable adjustments may be considered where appropriate, and support will be reviewed regularly to ensure children can access their education successfully.

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Persistent Absence

A pupil is considered Persistently Absent when their attendance falls below 90%.

Where attendance becomes a concern, we will:

• Contact parents to discuss concerns.

• Explore any barriers to attendance.

• Agree supportive actions and targets.

• Monitor attendance closely.

• Work with external agencies where additional support is required.

 

Our aim is always to work with families to improve attendance before concerns become more significant.

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Attendance Monitoring

Attendance is monitored regularly by school leaders.

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Parents will be informed if attendance falls below expected levels and may be invited to meet with the Headteacher to discuss support and next steps. Attendance concerns are reviewed through a graduated response that focuses on early identification, supportive intervention and partnership working with families.

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Working Together

We believe that the best outcomes for children are achieved when school and home work together. By maintaining strong attendance and punctuality, we can ensure every child benefits fully from their education and the opportunities available at Woodseaves CE Primary Academy.

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For attendance support or advice, please contact:

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Mrs Michelle Easthope
Headteacher and Attendance Lead
📧 woodseavesheadteacher@stbartsmat.co.uk

 

Useful Information

DfE Attendance Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance

 

Staffordshire Attendance Information: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Education-welfare/Attendance.aspx

 

This page should be read alongside the school's full Attendance and Absence Policy.

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