Attendance at School is a Priority

Guidlines for Parents and Students

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Why Does Attendance Matter?
Categories of Attendance
Two Major Issues Affecting Attendance
Cause for Concern
What the School is Doing to Support Attendance

Why Does Attendance Matter?
The Importance of Good Attendance

Research shows that there is a direct link between good attendance and achievement in school. Poor attendance can have a direct effect on a student's attainment and their future life chances.

For example, 90% attendance might sound quite acceptable but what that means in reality is……

• On average half a day's school missed every week (would an employer think this is an acceptable rate of attendance?)
• This would also mean in one year four whole weeks of schooling missed.
• In five years it would mean half of a school year missed.
• And could result in a GCSE grade drop in attainment in each subject.

The better the attendance, the greater the achievement:

• Absent one day a month 87% chance of getting 5A* - C at GCSE
• Absent one day a fortnight 75% chance of getting 5A* - C at GCSE.
• Absent one day a week 20% chance of getting 5A* - C at GCSE.

Habits of poor attendance and lateness in school are often repeated in working life which is why employers do ask the school for such information as part of references.