Furness Primary School

Dear Parents / Carers

The school sets target for attendance and expects children to aim for 100% attendance to ensure they receive every opportunity to reach their full potential. Just one day of absence means 6 hours of missed learning opportunities. Likewise, late arrival at school impacts on your child’s learning as they miss the morning welcome and the introduction to the lesson. Late arrival is also embarrassing for your child so please ensure your child is always on time.

Charlie Taylor’s report, ‘Improving Attendance at School ‘, states that “focus on unauthorised absence deflects attention away from the most important issue – that all absence is bad for children’s education”.  The staff at Furness agree with this statement which is why we work in partnership with parents and the Brent Education Welfare Service to monitor any potential causes for concern.

It is well researched that a pupil’s attainment is linked to attendance. ‘If a school can improve attendance by 1%, they will see a 5-6% improvement in attainment’ (Department for Education)

It is very important that all our pupils benefit from 190 days of learning to ensure they make progress and achieve the results they should.

Here are some of the ways in which you can help our school achieve excellent attendance:

• Aim for your child to have 100% attendance.
• You can make a request in advance if you feel you have exceptional circumstances for your child to be absent during term time, however permission may not be given and my decision is final.
• We expect pupils to arrive at school on time. Late arrivals disrupt the education of others. Pupils arriving after the register has closed will be marked in the register as having an unauthorised absence. The school attendance policy states the time that the attendance register closes in the morning.
• We do not expect pupils to come to school when they are sick, but parents of children with regular sickness absence will be expected to provide us with medical evidence before we authorise further absences.
• Avoid medical and dental appointments during school time.
• If you or your child is having difficulties and these impact on their attendance, please make an appointment with a member of staff to discuss additional support.

Every lesson counts! Every minute counts!