We as a school understand the impact that absences have on a child’s attainment and progress. We also appreciate that from time-to-time children become unwell and are unable to attend school, which has been in some cases further exacerbated by the pandemic. However, we are obliged to highlight the impact prolonged absence has on a child’s learning.

There is clear evidence of a link between poor attendance at school and low levels of achievement of pupils who miss between 10% and 20% of school, only 35% achieve five or more GCSEs in grades A* to C including English and Maths whereas 73% of pupils who attend school for 95% of the time achieve this.

This data is from Key Stage 4 but good attendance should start at primary school. The staff and governors of Holywell Primary School recognise that the earlier schools address attendance ‘issues’ the less likely it is that they will become a long-term issue.

To contextualise absence:

1 day off per school year = 99.5% attendance

10 days off per school year = 94.7% attendance

20 days off per school year = 90% attendance

90% attendance = 4 whole weeks off school during the school year

90% attendance throughout years 1 - 6 = half a year off school

90% attendance for a child through Primary and Secondary school means they will have missed a huge amount of their education.