The Importance of Regular School Attendance

Every day matters

At South Milford Primary School, we believe that every day in school matters. Regular attendance gives children the opportunity to learn, build friendships, develop confidence and independence, and enjoy the full range of experiences that school has to offer.

We understand that there can sometimes be barriers that make attending school difficult. Our approach is therefore based on support, partnership and early communication. We want to work with parents and carers to understand any challenges and find practical ways to help children attend school regularly.

The Department for Education emphasises that attendance is a shared responsibility between schools, families and wider services. Its current guidance encourages schools to focus on the child's experience of school, build strong relationships with families, recognise improvements and provide support where barriers arise.

Why does attendance matter?

Being in school regularly helps children to:

• keep up with their learning and make progress;
• develop friendships and a sense of belonging;
• build confidence, independence and resilience;
• establish positive routines;
• take part in clubs, activities, trips and wider school experiences;
• develop the knowledge and skills they need for the future.

When children miss school regularly, they can miss important learning, routines, relationships and experiences. Even occasional absence can add up over time.

For example, missing just one day every two weeks means missing around 19 days of school across a year. That is a significant amount of learning, time with friends and school experiences.

Being on time matters too

Our school day begins at 8.45am for all year groups. 

Learning begins as soon as children arrive. Being on time helps children settle calmly, connect with their friends and teachers, and be ready to learn from the start of the day.

We therefore ask parents and carers to help their children develop a consistent morning routine and arrive at school on time each day.

What can parents and carers do?

You can support your child's attendance by:

• helping them establish regular morning and bedtime routines;
• making sure they arrive at school on time every day;
• arranging routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible;
• contacting school promptly when your child is unable to attend;
• talking to us as soon as possible if there are difficulties affecting your child's attendance.

If mornings, school attendance or returning after an absence are becoming difficult, please talk to us. You do not need to wait until attendance becomes a significant concern before asking for support.

How we support attendance

We monitor attendance carefully so that we can identify concerns early and offer appropriate support.

If we notice that a child is missing school regularly, has a pattern of absence or their attendance is beginning to decline, we will contact parents and carers. This is an opportunity to work together, understand what may be affecting attendance and agree practical steps that could help.

Our approach is support first. Depending on individual circumstances, this may include support from school staff, an attendance plan, pastoral support or involvement from other appropriate services.

Where attendance does not improve despite support, or where support is not appropriate or has not been engaged with, schools and local authorities have a range of formal and legal interventions available under the national attendance framework.

Celebrating attendance and improvement

At South Milford, we want to recognise the effort that children and families make to attend school regularly and arrive on time.

Each week, we celebrate attendance in our assemblies, with one class receiving a special reward. The reason for the celebration may vary and could include:

• excellent punctuality;
• the most improved attendance;
• a class making a special effort to attend regularly;
• positive improvements across the week.

Our celebrations are about recognising effort, improvement and positive routines. Every step forward matters.

Working together

Good attendance is a shared responsibility. We want every child at South Milford Primary School to feel that they belong, enjoy coming to school and have the opportunity to make the most of every school day.

If there is anything making it difficult for your child to attend regularly, please speak to us. We are here to help.

Together, we can help every child attend, learn, belong and thrive.