At St John’s CE Academy, we know that excellent attendance is one of the strongest foundations for success. Regular attendance helps children feel settled, build positive relationships, keep up with learning and achieve their full potential. We therefore monitor attendance and punctuality carefully for all pupils across the school.

We will normally share attendance information with families through our reporting processes during the year. If we have any concerns, we will contact parents and carers promptly so that we can work together to provide support and improve attendance as early as possible.

Why Attendance Matters

Good attendance has a significant impact on achievement, wellbeing and future opportunities. When pupils attend regularly, they are more likely to:

• make strong academic progress
• feel confident in their learning
• build and maintain friendships
• develop positive routines and habits
• feel a strong sense of belonging in school
• be well prepared for future education and employment

When attendance is low, children can quickly miss important learning, feel less connected and find it harder to catch up.

Research and national data consistently show a strong link between attendance and attainment. Even small improvements in attendance can make a meaningful difference to outcomes over time.

What Is Good Attendance?

We want every pupil to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell or there are exceptional circumstances. Our expectation is that pupils aim for at least 96% attendance, with many pupils achieving 98–100%.

To help put this into context:

• 90% attendance means missing around half a day each week, or approximately four weeks of school across the year
• 80% attendance means missing around one day each week, or approximately eight weeks of school across the year

Over several years, this can amount to a significant loss of education.

How We Promote Strong Attendance at St John’s

We work proactively with families to secure the best possible attendance for every child. This includes:

• promoting the importance of attendance and punctuality
• recognising excellent and improved attendance
• following up unexplained absences quickly
• working with families where concerns arise
• offering early support and guidance to remove barriers
• monitoring patterns of absence or lateness
• involving external agencies where additional support is needed
• using legal processes where required and in line with statutory guidance

Our priority is always to work in partnership with families and support improvement wherever possible.

How Parents and Carers Can Help

Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly. We ask families to support us by:

• ensuring your child attends every day, on time, ready to learn
• avoiding holidays during term time
• arranging routine medical appointments outside the school day wherever possible
• contacting school as early as possible if your child is absent or late
• keeping school updated with current contact details
• speaking to us early if your child is worried about attending school
• responding to communication regarding attendance or punctuality

Working together makes a real difference.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is absent, please contact the school office as early as possible on each day of absence (prior to 8:30am), giving your child’s name, class or tutor group, and the reason for absence.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Holidays during term time will not normally be authorised. Leave of absence during term time can only be approved in exceptional circumstances and must be requested in writing in advance. Permission can only be granted by the Head of School or Headteacher, and families should not assume that leave will be authorised.

Further information can be found in our Attendance Policy.