Attendance

Every day missed from school is a lost opportunity. Requests for holidays during term time have increased and it is important that parents are aware that these will be refused unless there are really exceptional circumstances. If a child is taken away for a two week holiday every year and has the average number of days off for sickness and appointments, by the time they leave at 16 they will have missed a year of school.

Your child’s teacher will be monitoring attendance closely and parents of any child whose attendance is seen to be of concern below 90% in the first half term, rising to below 95% as the year progresses, will be contacted by the school.

Castle Camps Primary School aims to:

· raise levels of achievement by ensuring the highest possible levels of attendance, punctuality and involvement in the school

· ensure that every child has access to the education to which they are entitled

· be proactive in addressing early patterns of absence.

The link between attendance and attainment is clear:

• In 2018/19, just 40% of persistently absent (PA) children in KS2 achieved expected KS2 standards, compared with 84% of pupils who were regular attenders.

• 36% of PA children in KS4 got 9 to 4 in their English and maths GCSEs, also compared with 84% of regular attenders.

It's never too late to benefit from good attendance:

• 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.

Please see the information below regarding attendance at Castle Camps.