Nutgrove Methodist Primary School believe that regular school attendance is the key to enabling children to maximise the educational opportunities available to them. Excellent attendance at school has been closely linked to emotionally resilient, confident and competent adults who are able to realise their full potential – enabling them to make a positive contribution to their community and beyond.

We believe that children must ‘Attend to Achieve’ - excellent attendance has a direct impact on attainment.  In 2019 (the most recent government study) the pupils with the highest attainment at the end of key stage 2 had higher rates of attendance than those with the lowest attainment. The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to a full-time education. We would like all our children attending like star - in everyday on time. 

Lateness after the register is closed is classed as an unauthorised absence.

We want your child to attend regularly to support their learning. The impact on a child's education through lost learning is huge. Attendance is essential to ensure that all children fulfil their potential. Poor attendance can also have a negative impact on:

• Friendships
• Self-esteem and confidence

The definition of good attendance in St Helens is 98% or better. Some would say 90% is good attendance - in a test, scoring 90% would be great, but this is not the same for attendance. In fact, 90% attendance is equivalent to missing one day of school every fortnight! That is 19 days across a year missed or, in other words, almost a month of school! 

Persistent Absence

It is considered that attendance of 90% or below is peristent absence. Failing to improve on 90% can lead to prosecution, which school wants families to avoid. Although 90% sounds reasonably good, it means your child misses:

• One-half day each week
• Nearly 4 weeks every school year

By missing out on regular schooling, some children are having to constantly try to catch up on their peers. Having chunks of knowledge missing really disadvantages your child compared to their classmates.

At Nutgrove Methodist Primary School, attendance for every child is monitored. We work to support all who are not attending school without sufficient reason. 

Parental Role in Attendance

The parental role in ensuring children attend school daily is key, and as such, we expect parents/carers to fulfil their legal responsibility to ensure their child has good time keeping and attendance.  This means your child must attend, on time, every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence, in advance, from school. When children cannot attend school, we expect parents to report the absence as soon as possible and no later than 8.55am which is when registration closes. 

Excellent attendance at school is vital to securing the greatest possible personal development and academic progress for each child. We expect all families to be committed to excellent attendance. If you feel your child has a mild illness then please send them into school and staff will monitor and ring you if needed. In a small number of incidences your child maybe too ill to attend, we expect you to report the absence as soon as possible and no later than 8.55am which is when registration closes.  

Improving Attendance

There are things to improve your child's attendance and avoid falling into the persistent absence category. 

• Keep up to date with what % attendance your child has
• Speak to school staff with any concerns
• Take family holidays outside term time (these will be classed as unauthorised)
• Talk to your child about the importance of them being in school and let them know how important you feel it is
• Wherever possible, make medical and dental appointments outside school hours or during the holidays

If you need support, we’re here to help

If you’re facing any challenges that might affect attendance, please let us know as soon as possible. We want to work with you to make sure your child doesn’t miss out. Please speak to your child’s class teacher, phase leader, Mrs Taylor or Mrs Ibrahim in the School Office.

Every day in school matters, and together we can make this a fantastic start to the year.