This month, the Department for Education launched a national campaign - Moments Matter, Attendance Counts - to remind families of the importance of student attendance at school. The campaign responds to a worrying national increase in student absences, particularly in secondary schools.

Research shows that lower attendance leads to lower attainment outcomes for pupils at both Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), and the statistics are compelling:

• Data from the 2022-2023 academic year for the end of Key Stage 2 shows that 71% of pupils who had 99% attendance or above achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to only 50% of pupils with 90% attendance
• This drops to only 42% of children achieving the expected standards with 85% attendance
• Equally, at Key Stage 4, pupils who missed less than 1% of sessions across Year 10 and 11 had an average Progress 8 score of +0.73, while those who missed 50% of sessions or more had an average score of -2.83.4 

While the link between attendance and attainment is clear, absence is not just about exam results. It’s about all the other important moments in school that help shape young people: building positive peer relationships, taking part in extracurricular activities and trips, developing important personal skills and finding a sense of belonging within the school community.

We all have hopes and dreams for our children. But the statistics show young people will only be able to realise their full potential, academically and personally, if they are in school and ready to learn at least 97% of the time. However, it is never too late to benefit from good attendance.

There are times when absence is unavoidable and a student is too unwell to attend. In a  post-pandemic world, it’s sometimes difficult to know when children suffering from mild coughs and colds can and should be sent into school. To help parents make an informed decision, please see the advice and guidance from the Chief Medical Officer.

Equally, for some families, the challenges around attendance are very real and there are significant barriers preventing children from coming into school. If you are struggling and need support, please contact your school directly and we will work with you to put a plan in place.  

Ultimately, as parents and teachers, we all want the best for our children. At Wordsworth Primary & Nursery, we will always strive to place them at the heart of everything we do. Please help us to do our very best for them by ensuring they come to school each day. Thank you for your support.

Mrs Smith ~ Attendance & Admissions Lead