Opening Times and Attendance

The School Day

The school day begins at 8:45am (8:50am for Nursery children) and the school doors are open from 8:35am. The day ends at 3:25pm (3:20pm for Nursery children).

Your child's education is very important. Regular, punctual school attendance and a good education help them to fulfil their potential and the best possible chances in life. Children are expected to be in school and collected on time. Our full Attendance Policy is available to read here: Attendance Policy

Absences and Lateness

All parents/carers should contact the school on the first and each day of their child's absence. Please email or call the school office. 

If your child is absent, you must provide us with details of the reason for their absence and written evidence of all medical appointments. All absences are recorded as either authorised or unauthorised. An absence is classified as authorised when a child in absent for a legitimate reason and the school has received notification from a parent or carer. An absence is classified as unauthorised when a child is away from school without good reason and without permission from the school. 

Good school attendance includes arriving to school on time. Punctuality is very important as it sets the standards later in life. As parents/carers you have a legal duty to ensure your child attends school on time. Arriving for school late can mean: missing important announcements during registration, missing early morning challenge work, embarrassment at coming into class when other children have started work, missing part of the lesson which can be difficult to catch up on, a poor attendance record and a reluctance to go to school. It also disrupts the lesson and other children's learning. 

The start of our school day is 8:45am. Children who arrive after 8:50am are recorded as 'Late'. If your child arrives after 9:00am without prior agreement, they will be marked as 'Late after register closes' which is an unauthorised absence. 

Please do get in touch with us if you require support with your child's attendance at school. 

 

Attendance Matters: Every Day Together Counts

Good attendance is one of the most important ways we can help children succeed – both in their learning and in their friendships. This newsletter shares how we celebrate attendance at school, why every day matters, and some simple tips for supporting your child.

Did You Know? Children who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better grades and

build stronger friendships? Follow the link Link between attendance and attainment - GOV.UK for Government information and guidance on ‘The link between attendance and attainment'. 

Current Whole school Attendance   94%

Our Target!   96%

Let’s work together to close the gap!

 

Academic Achievement

 

Pupils with 95–100% attendance at Key Stage 2 are 1.3 times more likely to meet expected standards in Reading, Writing, and Maths compared with those with 90–95% attendance.

At Key Stage 4, pupils with 95–100% attendance are 1.9 times more likely to achieve a Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSEs.

Missing just 10 days in Year 6 can reduce the chance of meeting expected standards by 25%, and in Year 11, it can cut the likelihood of achieving a Grade 5 by 50%!

Regular attendance really does make a measurable difference to learning outcomes.

 

Learning Progress

Every lesson builds on the one before it. When children miss days at school, it’s harder for them to keep up and gaps in learning can quickly grow. Regular attendance means children stay on track, build knowledge step by step, and develop the skills they need with confidence. It also helps teachers to support them more effectively, as they can see the full picture of each child’s progress.

 

Social and Emotional Development

 

Coming to school regularly is about much more than lessons. It gives children the chance to spend time with friends every day, share experiences, and learn how to work and play together. These daily interactions help them to build confidence, develop stronger communication and teamwork skills, and practise managing their feelings in a safe environment. Regular attendance also helps children feel part of the class and school community, giving them a stronger sense of belonging and security.

 

Future Opportunities

 

Good attendance at primary school sets strong habits for the future. Children who attend regularly are more likely to achieve well academically and develop the resilience and self-discipline they need as they grow. These habits lay the foundations for success at secondary school, in further education, and later in the workplace. Most importantly, regular attendance helps children believe in themselves and what they can achieve.

 

Spotlight on Punctuality ⏰

 

Did you know? Being just 10 minutes late each day adds up to over 33 hours of lost learning a year – almost a whole school week! Arriving on time means children can start the day calmly, take part in the first learning activities, and feel confident and ready to succeed. Every minute really does make a difference.

 

Let’s all be Attendance SuperHEROes: Here, Every day, Ready, On time! 😊

 

Top Tips for Great Attendance

 

🛏️Set routines – Regular bedtimes and calm mornings make school days easier.

🎒Be ready – Clothes, bags, and lunches prepared the night before save stress.

📅Every day counts – Even a few missed days each term add up to lost learning.

🤒Only if unwell – Only keep children home for genuine illness (fever, vomiting, contagious bugs).

⏰Plan appointments – Try to book doctors and dentists outside school hours.

💬Talk positively – Encourage your child and celebrate small successes.

🤝Work with us – If mornings are tricky or your child is worried, let us know.