Attendance and Punctuality at Ladypool Nursery and Primary School

Every Day Matters. Every Minute Counts.

At Ladypool Primary School, we want every child to feel happy, safe and successful. Being in school every day and arriving on time gives children the best possible chance to learn, build friendships, grow in confidence and achieve their potential.

We know that good attendance is about much more than a number. It's about belonging, developing positive routines and making the most of every opportunity school has to offer.

Our school values of Respect, Grow and Excel are at the heart of everything we do. We work closely with our families to encourage excellent attendance, celebrate successes and offer support whenever it's needed.

Our Attendance Target – 96% or Above

At Ladypool, our attendance target is 96% or above, although we encourage every child to attend school every day they are well enough to do so.

Even a few days of absence can make a difference to a child's learning and confidence.

Children whose attendance falls below 90% are considered persistently absent. Where attendance becomes a concern, we work with families to understand the reasons and agree on appropriate support.

Our School Day – Every Minute Counts!

A positive start to the morning makes a real difference to a child's day!

• 8:30am: School gates open.

• 8:40am: Children enter their classrooms, ready to begin learning.

• 8:50am: School gates close. Children arriving after this time must report to the main office, where their arrival and reason for lateness will be recorded.

Arriving on time helps children settle, feel included and start their learning without disruption.

Don't forget – we offer a FREE Breakfast Club!

Our Breakfast Club provides children with a welcoming start to the day and can be particularly helpful for families establishing good morning routines. Please speak to our school office for further information.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Absent?

If your child is unable to attend school, please let us know as soon as possible on the first day of absence, ideally before the school day begins.

Please explain the reason for the absence and continue to keep us informed if your child remains away from school.

If we haven't heard from you, our attendance team will contact you to establish the reason for the absence and ensure your child is safe.

Please also make sure your contact details are kept up to date.

Is My Child Too Ill for School?

We understand that children sometimes become unwell and need time at home to recover.

However, a minor cough, cold or headache doesn't always mean a child needs to miss school.

If your child has a medical condition or additional needs, we will work with you to ensure appropriate arrangements and support are in place.

For further guidance, the NHS provides helpful advice on common childhood illnesses and when children should stay at home.

NHS – Is My Child Too Ill for School?

Working Together to Improve Attendance

At Ladypool, we recognise that there can sometimes be genuine reasons why children find it difficult to attend school regularly.

These might include illness, anxiety, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), bullying, family circumstances or difficulties with morning routines.

Our approach is simple: we listen, we understand and we work together.

Depending on individual circumstances, we may offer:

• Support from your child's class teacher, our attendance team or pastoral team.

• Help with morning routines and punctuality.

• Additional support for children experiencing emotional or social difficulties.

• Reasonable adjustments for children with SEND or medical needs.

• Meetings with parents to identify barriers and agree practical next steps.

• Support from external agencies where appropriate.

• Individual attendance plans and regular reviews to celebrate progress.

   

Celebrating Attendance at Ladypool!

We love celebrating the efforts of our children and families!

Throughout the year, we recognise attendance through assemblies, class celebrations, special rewards and our ever-popular attendance lucky dips!

We celebrate not only excellent attendance but also improvements, recognising the effort that children and families make to establish positive routines.

Our aim is to encourage and motivate every child while being sensitive to those who face genuine barriers to attending school.

Holidays and Leave During Term Time

We ask all parents and carers to arrange holidays and family visits during school holidays.

Any request for leave must be submitted to school in advance. Parents should not assume that leave will be authorised.

Unauthorised absence may result in a penalty notice or further legal action in line with national and local authority procedures.

Please contact the school office if you need advice about requesting leave.

Parents' Legal Responsibilities

Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure that children of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education.

Where a child is registered at school, parents are responsible for ensuring regular attendance.

Schools and local authorities have a duty to work together to identify attendance concerns, offer appropriate support and take further action where necessary.

At Ladypool, our priority is always to work positively with families to improve attendance and secure the best possible outcomes for children.

For more information about national attendance expectations and responsibilities, please visit:

Department for Education – Working Together to Improve School Attendance

Why Every Day Matters at Ladypool

Every school day brings something special.

Whether it's making progress in reading, discovering something new in science, developing friendships, enjoying our OPAL Platinum Award-winning lunchtimes, taking part in exciting enrichment activities or building confidence through new experiences, we want every child to benefit from everything Ladypool has to offer.

Our commitment to Communication, Aspiration and Identity means that every day provides opportunities for children to find their voice, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals.

When children attend regularly, they are better able to build on their learning, develop strong relationships and feel a real sense of belonging.

Useful Information for Parents and Carers

We know that families sometimes have questions about attendance, illness and their responsibilities. These trusted resources provide further guidance:

Department for Education – School Attendance Guidance

Information about attendance expectations, parental responsibilities and how schools support families to improve attendance.

View the DfE Attendance Guidance

NHS – Is My Child Too Ill for School?

Practical advice about common childhood illnesses, when children should stay at home and when they can return to school.

Read the NHS Guidance for Parents

Ladypool Primary School Attendance Policy

Our Attendance Policy provides further information about absence reporting, punctuality, term-time leave and how we support families.

Please refer to the school's current Attendance Policy for full details.

Together, We Can Make Every Day Count!

At Ladypool, we want every child to enjoy coming to school, feel that they belong and have every opportunity to succeed.

Thank you to all our families for helping children arrive on time, ready to learn, each and every day.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance or punctuality, please speak to our school office or attendance team. We're here to help.

Every Day Matters. Every Minute Counts.

Respect. Grow. Excel.