Attendance

At Heyes Lane Primary School, we place a high value on regular attendance and punctuality. Being in school every day, and arriving on time, has a significant impact on children’s learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. We are proud of our strong attendance culture and the positive partnerships we have with families at Heyes Lane to support children to attend as well as they can.

Our aim is always to work with parents and carers, recognising that attendance can sometimes be affected by circumstances beyond a family’s control. By communicating early and supporting one another, we can help every child access the full school experience.

Why coming to school everyday matters

Building positive habits

Regular attendance helps children establish strong routines and a sense of reliability around school. Coming in every day supports independence and helps children feel secure within the rhythm of the school week, even when learning activities vary.

Friendships and relationships

Being in school consistently makes it easier for children to form and maintain friendships and to develop trusting relationships with adults. At Heyes Lane, we provide the children with daily opportunities to practise their social skills, work collaboratively and feel part of our community.

Confidence and self‑esteem

Research suggests that children who attend regularly and arrive at school on time tend to feel more confident, as they understand classroom routines and know what is happening in their learning. When attendance is irregular, children can feel less settled and may find it harder to keep up socially or academically.

Learning and progress

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that each day builds on previous learning. Regular attendance ensures that our children can follow this learning journey as intended, helping them to make steady progress and reducing the risk of gaps forming over time.

Understanding attendance percentages

Attendance figures can sound reassuring, but even small drops can have a big impact over a school year. At Heyes Lane, we use the following attendance bands to help families understand how their child is doing:

Children with attendance between 98% and 100% are considered to have excellent attendance. This level of attendance gives pupils the best possible foundation both academically and socially.

Attendance in the 96%–97.99% range is a good level and broadly in line with national expectations. While this is a solid position to be in, pupils are encouraged to aim even higher where possible.

If attendance falls between 91% and 95.99%, this indicates that there is room for improvement. At this point, attendance may begin to affect learning and friendships, and we will usually make contact with parents to offer support or guidance.

Attendance below 91% is classed as persistent absence and is a cause for concern. Missing this amount of school can have a significant impact on a child’s progress and wellbeing. When attendance reaches this level, we will work closely with families to understand what is affecting attendance and put supportive strategies in place.

As a guide, 90% attendance means a child misses almost four weeks of school across the year, which highlights how quickly absence can add up.

Illness and absence

We understand that there will be times when children are too unwell to attend school. In these cases, parents should contact the school on the first morning of absence and keep us informed if the absence continues. Clear communication helps us support your child and ensures that absences are recorded accurately.

Medical appointments

Wherever possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside of school hours or during the school holidays. If an appointment must take place during the school day, parents are asked to provide proof of the appointment to the school office and ensure that children return to school as soon as possible afterwards.

Holidays and time out during term time

Current government guidance does not allow schools to authorise holidays or time out during term time, except in very exceptional circumstances. With 13 weeks of school holidays available each year, families are expected to plan holidays outside term time.

Any request for leave during term time must be made in writing to the Headteacher, Mrs Harkin, in advance of the planned absence. While each request is considered individually, parents should be aware that such requests may not be authorised, and periods of unauthorised absence may result in further action being taken by the local authority. 

Religious observance

We recognise that some religious festivals fall outside school holidays or weekends. Absence for religious observance will be authorised when the day is recognised by the family’s religious body. Parents are asked to notify the school office in advance, either by phone call or in writing, if their child will be absent for this reason.

For pupils who practise fasting or who need to pray during the school day, we are committed to supporting them. We allocate appropriate space where needed and ensure that children are supported sensitively and respectfully throughout this time.

Working together to support attendance

We recognise that attendance concerns are often linked to wider issues, such as health, family circumstances or emotional wellbeing. If something is affecting your child’s attendance, we strongly encourage you to speak to us as early as possible. Our focus is always on understanding barriers and offering appropriate support so that every child feels able to attend school regularly and thrive.