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Spotlight on... Attendance

 

Some facts for you:

The number of days a student misses from school can quickly add up and impact their learning. Here's a breakdown of how different levels of absence translate into lost learning and attendance percentages:

  • 1–2 Days Off a Month: This equates to around 10–20 days off per year or missing about 2–4 weeks of learning. This level of absence can place a child at risk of being classified as "persistently absent" (below 90% attendance). Missing 2 days a month results in an attendance rate of around 90%.
  • 5 Days Off: Missing 5 days of school during the year results in approximately 97.5% attendance. While this is still considered good, it represents one full week of lost learning, which can affect understanding of complex topics.
  • 10 Days Off: Missing 10 days results in 95% attendance, equivalent to two full weeks of missed school. This can impact academic progress, as missing lessons regularly leads to gaps in knowledge.
  • 20 Days Off: At 20 days off, attendance falls to 90%, which is officially classified as "persistently absent." Pupils in this category miss 4 weeks of learning per year, creating significant gaps and impacting grades.
  • 38 Days Off: Missing this many days drops attendance to 80%, meaning the pupil misses almost 8 weeks of learning, or an entire term. At this stage, the impact on learning and progression is considerable.

Key Takeaway:

Even seemingly small absences, such as 1–2 days a month, can lead to significant learning loss over time. Regular attendance ensures your child stays on track academically, socially, and emotionally.

Background

Why Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance is essential for your child’s education and overall development. Attending school consistently ensures that children benefit fully from the educational opportunities available to them. Missing even a few days can lead to learning gaps, difficulty keeping up with classwork, and a drop in academic performance. Studies show that pupils with high attendance tend to achieve better grades, perform well in assessments, and are more likely to succeed in life.

Key Benefits of Regular Attendance:

  • Academic Success: Every lesson missed is a lost opportunity to learn. Pupils who regularly attend school are more likely to keep up with their studies and perform well on exams.
  • Social and Emotional Development: School is not only about learning from books but also about developing friendships, teamwork, and communication skills. Attending school helps children build social relationships that support their emotional well-being
  • Routines and Habits: Regular attendance helps instil a sense of responsibility, punctuality, and discipline—qualities essential for later life, both in higher education and the workplace.

Pupil Voice

Pupils tell us that they find it hard to come to school if they feel ill, and don’t understand why it is important to build their resilience whilst at school to prepare them for the world of work. For some pupils’ absence relates to issues other than illness and they can be unsure about how to deal with the reasons why they don’t want to attend.

Q) The Biggest Challenge?

A) Encouraging a reluctant pupil to attend school.

Support is Available: If your child is struggling to attend school regularly due to health issues or personal challenges, we are committed to working with you to offer support. Early intervention can help address barriers before they lead to long-term absence.

Key Takeaway:

Your role in encouraging regular attendance is vital. Help your child understand the importance of going to school every day, and work with teachers and school staff to address any issues that may arise. Together, we can ensure your child gets the best start in life.

How can you help?

Absenteeism and its Impact: Chronic absenteeism, even when it seems infrequent, adds up. A day here and there may not feel like much, but over time, it significantly affects learning. For example, missing just two days a month can result in a child being classified as "persistently absent," which could hinder their progress and future opportunities.
To ensure your child's regular attendance, we recommend the following steps:

  • Monitor Attendance: Keep a close eye on your child's attendance and address any issues promptly.
  • Communicate with School: If your child is facing any barriers to attending school, please communicate with us so we can offer support and solutions.
  • Encourage Attendance: Encourage your child to attend school regularly and emphasize the importance of education.

For more information on attendance policies and how to support your child, visit the Swanmore College website or the UK government’s resources on improving attendance. You can also email: spotlight@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk

 

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