Attendance
As a school we are passionate about attendance because being in school regularly really does matter! Making connections everyday with other children and staff builds belonging, which we believe is an essential component of a healthy, happy child. As a school we design a wide variety of experiences to support every child to thrive and we don't want them to miss a moment!
Parents and carers are our essential partners in promoting good attendance. You have such an important role in setting expectations for good attendance and supporting your child to take advantage of the wide range of social, academic and physical experiences on offer throughout their week.
To help support families with the start of the school day, we offer a free breakfast club for children from Reception to Year 4. This allows children to have a softer start to the day and ensures they are settled and ready for learning. Our family support workers, Mrs Parry and Miss Cooper, are also there welcoming children in to school every morning and support them as they begin their day.
Help us to build the habits of good attendance
This ensures that your child enjoys the many benefits that school brings, such as opportunities for learning and making progress as well as wider personal development, and enjoying different enrichment clubs, sports or creative activities.
Emotional Wellbeing
Routine helps children and young people feel secure and less anxious.
Attending regularly helps children and young people feel part of our school community.
Regular attendance can contribute to better mental health and overall wellbeing
Social Benefits
Being in school helps children and young people develop meaningful friendships.
Engaging in opportunities like enjoying different enrichment clubs.
Working with classmates in lessons and activities builds essential teamwork skills.
Academic Benefits
Being in school every day provides the best opportunity for learning and making progress.
Regular attendance helps children and young people keep up with learning and understanding their lessons.
Attending school every day means children and young people don’t fall behind and can stay on track.
Being in school regularly gives children and young people the best chance to make expected or better academic progress.
Children and young people who attend regularly have the best access to teachers and extra support when needed.
Our Attendance
Your Child's day at school -
| Arriving on time means your child: | Arriving late means your child: | Helping your child to come to school on time |
|
• Is greeted personally by the classroom staff • Can say hello to their friends • Has time to sort out their belongings (book bag, water bottle etc) ready for the day’s learning ahead • Takes part in the early morning activities— reading, handwriting, spelling and number • Does not miss any valuable lesson input • Feels happy, relaxed and settled, ready to start learning |
• Doesn’t have time to say hello to their friends • Joins the lesson after it has begun, missing vital instructions • Could start the day flustered and unsettled |
• Get everything ready for school in the evening • Have the same early bedtime routines every night • Get up early every morning • Eat a good breakfast • Allow plenty of travel and parking time • Aim to arrive at 8.40am when the gates open, so that children are ready for lessons which start at 8.50am |
Help us to build the habits of good attendance through building routines at bedtime
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential. Not having access to devices in the bedroom is really something to consider as they often impact on getting a good nights sleep.
Health Related Absences
Health-related absences are one of the top reasons children miss so many days of school and this can mean that they are at risk of becoming persistently absent. Of course, occasional absences related to health reasons are to be expected. But absences can quickly add up and habits of missing school can start to affect learning and social inclusion. You might not be sure about when to send your child to school with a particular illness. This information has been taken off the NHS website.
Term Time Holidays
At Shefford Lower School, we strongly encourage families to take holidays during the school holiday periods.
The Department for Education states that schools should not authorise leave during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave must be made in advance and will be considered by the Headteacher.
Taking holidays during term time can disrupt a child’s learning and may lead to gaps in their knowledge, making it more difficult for them to keep up with their classmates. We therefore ask parents and carers to support us in promoting good attendance by planning holidays outside of term time whenever possible.
Unauthorised absences, including holidays taken during term time without permission, may result in a Penalty Notice (fine) being issued by the Local Authority. These fines are issued per parent, per child.
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Emotional Based School/ Setting Avoidance or Non - Attendance
The Impact of lateness
Flexi Schooling
If you have any questions about flexi schooling please contact the school office.
