Attendance
Our school aims to promote good attendance, reduce absence (including persistent absence) and act early on patterns of absence that impact on pupils' education. We will support parents to perform their legal duty to ensure their children of compulsory school age attend regularly, and will promote and support punctuality in attending lessons.
Icknield Primary School aims to maximise attendance rates and secure high levels of punctuality in order to ensure that all pupils are able to take full advantage of the learning experiences available to them.
Education is a fundamental right for every child, and it plays a pivotal role in shaping their future - a cornerstone of a child's development. The impact of absence from school on children cannot be overstated. Whether it's due to illness, family emergencies, or other reasons, sporadic, prolonged, or frequent absence from school can have far-reaching consequences on a child's academic progress, social development, and overall well-being.
One of the most immediate and direct consequences of school absence is its adverse effect on a child's academic achievement. Regular attendance is crucial for students to keep up with the curriculum and understand key concepts. When a child is frequently absent, they miss out on vital classroom instruction, which can lead to gaps in their knowledge and skill development.
These gaps can be particularly detrimental in subjects that build upon prior knowledge, such as mathematics and science. As children fall behind, they may struggle to catch up, leading to a cycle of academic underachievement.
- Pupils with higher attainment at KS2 and KS4 had lower levels of absence over the key stage compared to those with lower attainment.
- Pupils who did not achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2019 had an overall absence rate of 4.7% over the key stage, compared with 3.5% among pupils who achieved the expected standard and 2.7% among those who achieved the higher standard.
- Generally, the higher the percentage of sessions missed across the key stage at KS2 and KS4, the lower the level of attainment at the end of the key stage.
- Among pupils with no missed sessions over KS2, 83.9% achieved the expected standard compared to 40.2% of pupils who were persistently absent.
The impact of absence on children in the UK extends beyond academics. Frequent absenteeism can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from school and peers. Moreover, children may experience anxiety about falling behind or struggling to fit in when they return to school. This anxiety can be a significant barrier to their engagement and overall well-being.
As parents, your role in nurturing good attendance is paramount. From establishing routines to communicating openly with the school, your guidance shapes your child's perspective on the importance of education and attendance. Here are some strategies and tips for parents to promote good attendance:
- Establish a Routine: Maintain a regular daily routine, including consistent wake-up times, mealtimes, and bedtime. Having a structured schedule helps children get ready for school and reduces the likelihood of tardiness or absence.
- Communicate with the School: Establish open lines of communication with us. Inform the school promptly if your child is going to be absent due to illness or other legitimate reasons.
- Plan Appointments Wisely: Whenever possible, schedule doctor's appointments and other family obligations outside of school hours. If it's unavoidable, try to schedule them during breaks or after school to minimise missed class time. The same is true of term time holidays. These are disruptive to your child’s education.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate the importance of education by showing enthusiasm for learning and valuing school attendance. Your attitude towards school can influence your child's perspective.
- Set Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations regarding school attendance. Let your child know that going to school is non-negotiable unless they are genuinely sick or have an excused absence. Foster a positive attitude toward school by praising your child's efforts and achievements. Help them build positive relationships with teachers and peers.
- Talk About the Consequences: Discuss with your child the consequences of excessive absenteeism, such as falling behind in school, missing out on social interactions, and the potential impact on future opportunities.
Sickness Absence
We know that sometimes our pupils cannot come to school because they are really unwell - and that's the right thing to do for them and other students. Medical advice is clear however that children with mild illness will often be well enough to attend - for example if they have a cough, or cold, without a temperature. The NHS guidance 'Is my child too ill for school?' (linked below) is designed to support parents in their decision making about mild illness.
Is My Child Too Ill for School?
Where can I get support to help my child attend school?
Children may struggle to attend school for a wide range of reasons.
If your child is struggling to attend school, both Icknield Primary School and Luton Borough Council also have responsibilities to help you to support your child’s attendance.
In most cases, if your child’s attendance level is falling, we will contact you to explore the reasons and discuss what help can be put in place to help you overcome the barriers they are facing.
If your child is struggling to attend school, you can expect us to meet with you and your child if they are old enough. Icknield Primary School will want to understand the reasons for their absence and what support you or they need to overcome the barriers to attendance they are experiencing.
If the barriers to your child’s attendance are in school – such as they are having friendship problems – we will work with you to help overcome the issues.
If the barriers to attendance you or your child are facing go beyond the remit of the school – such as a transport or a mental health issue – both Icknield Primary School and Luton Borough Council have a responsibility to help you. This includes helping you to access the wider support you might need, for example from the school nurse or from local housing or transport teams.
As part of the conversation you have with Icknield Primary School you will agree a set of joint actions we will all take to help overcome any barriers to attendance.
This agreement will often include a commitment to refer or help you to access support services in exchange for an agreement from you to engage and take part in the support offered. We will also arrange mutual convenient times for you to come together to review these and your child’s progress.
This agreement may take the form of an informal action plan, an early help plan, or a parenting contract – depending on the complexity of the reasons for your child’s absence.
DfE Guide for Parents on School Attendance
Find top tips from the NHS for looking after a child with mental health difficulties and advice for looking after your own mental health here:
Children's Mental Health - Every Mind Matters
BBC Bitesize share wellbeing tips for parents to help you support a healthy, happy childhood – with advice on food, sleep, mindfulness, as well as ways to look after you and your child’s mental health.
Young Minds parents helpline offers three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health.
Parents Helpline - Mental Help Health for Your Child
Young Minds A-Z guide gives you advice on how to help your child with their feelings and behaviour, as well as mental health conditions and life events.
Parents A-Z Mental Health Guide
If your child is anxious about school, or they are unable to go to school, Young Minds have advice on supporting them and working with the school and other services.
School Anxiety & Refusal: A Guide for Parents
