Attendance Matters
Belong Aspire Achieve
At Hendal Primary School we want the best for ALL of our children.
We know that children with higher school attendance are more likely to do well at school.
Regular attendance has many benefits for your child such as learning, well being, social development, making and sustaining relationships,
providing a sense of belonging, building aspirations for the future and supporting academic achievement.
Please ensure that your child regularly and punctually attends school every day so that they do not miss vital learning and memorable experiences.
Parents/Carers Responsibilities
Please ensure you and your child understand the value of attending school every day.
Fulfill your legal responsibility to make sure your child receives a full time education by attending school all day, every day on time.
Take a positive interest in your child’s work, including homework.
Keep in touch with school staff.
Attend parents/carers evenings and other school events.
If your child is ill
Please contact the school office on the first day of absence to explain why your child will not be in school that day.
Please speak to Mrs Bromley our Attendance Officer or a member of the Administrative Team before 9.15am on 01924 259465
If your child continues to be absent you must ring the school office every morning before 9.15am throughout the absence period.
To comply with Government legislation, schools are now required to publish authorised and non-authorised absences of all pupils on an annual basis. It is therefore vital that if your child is absent, you speak to the attendance officer. We will contact you that morning if your child is absent and no explanation has been received. The Educational Welfare Officer will follow up repeated or unexplained absences. We DO NOT authorise holidays taken in term time. If your child is going to be absent during term time you must completed an absence form in full at least two weeks before the absence commences, and these are available from the school office.
Attendance Tracking and Rewards
At Hendal Primary School attendance is a priority to ensure all children are safe in school every day learning. We have a successful reward system in place which is shared weekly on the newsletter and also in mentions assembly. If a class has 100% attendance that week then their class can wear non uniform on the following Friday. The class with the best attendance every half term and term also get a reward. Children who attend school every day during an academic year receive 100% attendance certificate and will have a visit by the ice-cream van at the end of the school year along with the class with the highest attendance throughout the year. The attendance tracker is in the hall for all children to see and to celebrate.
As a school we work closely with parents to support your child’s attendance. Please do speak to a member of staff if you feel you need further support.
Wakefield Attendance Strategy 2023-2026
School attendance, all day every day matters for all young people.
In Wakefield, we want the best for our children and young people, regardless of their background. By working together, we can make sure that they are happy, healthy and safe.
We know that children with higher school attendance are more likely to do well at school. The more a pupil goes to school, the more they can fulfil their potential. School can help children improve their social skills and learn good habits. It also helps us understand more about children and any needs they have.
Since the pandemic, school attendance rates have dropped and not recovered. Attendance rates in Wakefield are below the national average. Wakefield’s Attendance Strategy is our ambitious plan to increase attendance.
We created the plan by working with local partners and families, using recent research. The Strategy outlines the roles and responsibilities of each of our partners.
The Strategy sets out how we will achieve our goals. We will review the Strategy every term to see what we’ve learnt and reflect on our commitment.
Wakefield Attendance Strategy 2023 – 2026 – Wakefield
DFE Links
https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parental-responsibility-measures-for-behaviour-and-attendance
A new guide for parents on improving school attendance
Members of the Attendance Action Alliance have worked with the Department for Education to develop this short guide, which helps parents understand how they can work with their school and local authority to support their children to attend school and get the right support.
DFE Blogs
https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/02/24/school-attendance-important-risks-missing-day/
Attendance Correspondence For Parents
Wakefield Council Oral Health Resource Pack for Parents
If your child is poorly – what can you do to help your child? A quick NHS guide for parents/
https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/public-health/help-with-childrens-health
https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/public-health/oral-health-for-children