Attendance

Moments Matter, Attendance Counts

Attendance at Knightlow C of E Primary School

Attendance Statement

At Knightlow, our vision is for every child to let their light shine and to be the very best they can be. We are proud to offer a warm, inclusive and supportive environment where children are nurtured to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

We believe that good attendance is a vital part of this journey. By attending school regularly, children develop positive habits, strengthen friendships and access the rich opportunities that help them shine and reach their full potential.

From 19th August 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) has made the Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance statutory. This means that schools, local authorities, and key partners are now legally required to follow the expectations set out within the guidance. The aim is to ensure a consistent, supportive and effective approach to improving attendance for all pupils across the country. At Knightlow, we will follow these processes in full.

To support families in understanding these duties, the DfE has published a Summary Table of Responsibilities for School Attendance. This outlines what is expected of schools, trusts, governing bodies, and local authorities. We encourage parents and carers to refer to this resource for a clearer picture of how school attendance is managed nationally.

We set high expectations for attendance, with a target of no more than 5 days’ absence across the full academic year. While this may seem ambitious, it reflects the legal requirement for children to attend school regularly and highlights the significant role attendance plays in enabling every child to flourish. Further detail on how we promote and support regular attendance can be found in our Attendance Policy.

We fully understand that children may sometimes need to be absent if they are unwell. To help parents and carers decide when a child should remain at home, the NHS provides a helpful resource: Is my child too ill for school? This guide outlines common symptoms and gives practical advice.

At Knightlow, every child and family is valued, respected and supported. We take a personalised approach to attendance, always considering individual circumstances to ensure fairness and care. By working in partnership with families, we aim to remove barriers, encourage regular attendance, and ensure every child has the opportunity to let their light shine—each and every day.

Attendance Policy

Department For Education (DfE) Important Documents

Working together to improve school attendance

School attendance parental responsibility measures statutory guidance

Every Day Counts

• NHS Guidance - Is my child too ill for school? It can be difficult knowing whether or not to send your child into school is they are unwell. We recommend using the following NHS guidance. 

• Free to access support Warwickshire County Council offer a number of free parenting courses to support parents and carers. These courses cover a range of different topics including sleep, family relationships, and health and wellbeing.

Absence

Absence is permitted is certain circumstances, including medical appointments, illness (see NHS guidance above) and religious observations. If children are unable to attend school then parents should contact the school office from 8:00am - 8:30am (on 02476543751) to provide the relevant information. In the case of extreme sickness, medical evidence will be requested. 

If the office staff are unable to speak with you over the phone, please ensure that you give a detailed explanation over voicemail as to your child's illness.

A Staged Approach To Attendance 

During half termly attendance reviews, children who are at risk of falling below our 95% attendance target may be spoken to, and parents may be encouraged to share any barriers to attendance with the school Attendance Lead. 

Once attendance has dropped below 95%, letters will be sent out informing parents of their child's attendance, with a reminder of the impact that low attendance can have on pupil attainment, progress and wellbeing. 

If attendance continues to fall below 90%, this is classed as Persistent Absence. Parents will receive communication from the school requesting a face to face meeting in order to work together to improve attendance. This usually involves short term Attendance Improvement Plans, discussing barriers to attendance and seeking to put support in place where possible. 

Leave of Absence Forms 

Leave of absence forms can be collected at the school office. Please note that holidays will not be authorised in term time.