Strong attendance and punctuality are two of the most important factors in helping children thrive at school. Even small amounts of missed learning add up quickly, and national data shows that pupils with higher attendance achieve better academically, socially, and emotionally.
Why Good Attendance Matters
Attending school every day helps children:
- Build secure friendships and feel part of the school community
- Make steady academic progress without gaps in learning
- Develop confidence, resilience, and positive learning habits
- Access the full curriculum, enrichment activities, and specialist support
Research from the Department for Education shows that even a small drop in attendance can have a significant impact on outcomes. For example:
- Pupils with 95% attendance (missing just 9 days a year) are far more likely to achieve expected standards than those with lower attendance.
- Persistent absence-defined as missing more than 10% of school-has risen nationally, and children who fall into this category are much less likely to meet age‑related expectations.
- National absence rates increased from 4.7% before the pandemic to 7.1% in 2023/24, showing the importance of working together to rebuild strong attendance habits.
The Importance of Punctuality
Arriving on time helps children:
- Start the day calmly and confidently
- Take part in morning routines, which often include key learning
- Avoid missing instructions that set up the day’s lessons
- Develop lifelong habits of responsibility and reliability
Just being 10 minutes late each day adds up to over 30 hours of lost learning a year.
The Bigger Picture
Good attendance and punctuality:
- Support children’s wellbeing by giving structure and routine
- Help children feel secure, included, and ready to learn
- Strengthen long‑term outcomes, including future education and employment opportunities
At our school, we work closely with families to support good attendance and to help overcome any barriers. If you ever have concerns about your child’s attendance or punctuality, please speak to us- we’re here to help.