{"id":283,"date":"2025-12-28T20:29:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T20:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/springfieldprimaryschool\/?page_id=283"},"modified":"2026-02-11T09:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T09:08:42","slug":"attendance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/fi\/springfieldprimaryschool\/attendance\/","title":{"rendered":"Attendance"},"content":{"rendered":"

ATTENDANCE at Springfield Primary School<\/span><\/h1>\n

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It\u2019s important that your child attends school. It\u2019s essential for their well-being as well as for their learning.<\/h3>\n

Attendance at school for young people is stipulated in national legislation and in <\/span>international treaties (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 28).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Every child ha<\/span>s the right to grow up fully incl<\/span>uded in their learning experience and to be <\/span>treated with respect (Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: Promoting and Managing <\/span>School Attendance).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

You play an important role in ensuring your child attends regularly. Our staff and support services will work with you to help them attend school consistently and on time. Our policy allows us to identify students with low attendance and provide support.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions about attendance, contact your child\u2019s school or pupil support\/guidance teacher. More information is available on the Parent Club<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

E<\/span>ach new academic session provides a fresh start and an opportunity for all to have excellent attendance. It is more <\/span>important than ever that we support pupils to attend school as regularly as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our aim is that all pupils should attend for at least 95% of the school year. Evidence suggests that children\/young <\/span>people who attend for 95% or more of the school year have the best future attainment outcomes. It is important <\/span>that good attendance routines are established from the very beginning of a child\u2019s time at school. Excellent <\/span>attendance supports social and emotional development and positive routines and habits. It helps pupils to develop <\/span>and sustain friendships. Attendance below 85% falls into the cause for concern bracket. There is evidence that <\/span>absences pushing attendance below 85% have a significant impact on overall attainment and development of skills <\/span>for learning, life and work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the drive for improved attendance?<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Below are some important figures and the impact this can have:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Attendance of 95% for the year equals 10 days that the pupil has been absent, that is 2 full weeks of <\/span>learning missed for that year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Attendance of 90% for the year equals 19 days that the pupil has been absent, that is almost 4 weeks of <\/span>learning missed for that year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Attendance of 85% for the year equals 29 days that the pupil has been absent, that is almost 6 weeks of <\/span>learning missed for that year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Attendance of 80% for the year equals 38 days that the pupil has been absent, that is over 7 school weeks <\/span>missed. This is equivalent to almost an entire school term!<\/span><\/p>\n

What can families do to support good attendance?<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

To support good attendance, we need to work in partnership with you. Here are some ways that you can support <\/span>improved attendance:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Make sure they attend every day that they are well enough to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Speak to school as soon as possible if you sense any reluctance in your child to come to school so that we <\/span>can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Book family holidays and breaks away in school holidays. Almost all holidays taken in term time will be <\/span>recorded as unauthorised. This includes breaks which extend the school holiday even by a day or two. There <\/span>are rare circumstances where a short holiday\/break can be authorised (e.g., when it is for the wellbeing of <\/span>the family or because a parent\u2019s employer won\u2019t allow them to take leave in school holidays) but we strongly <\/span>recommend parents discuss this with the school before booking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Try to book all non-emergency appointments out with the school day.<\/span><\/p>\n

To help accurate recording of school attendance:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Email\/call the school at the earliest opportunity to notify the reason for absence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Inform us in advance if your child needs to attend an appointment in school time or if they are going to <\/span>attend a cultural, religious, sporting or competitive event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Punctuality:<\/span><\/p>\n

Punctuality is as important as good attendance to the wellbeing and learning of your child\/young person. Arriving on <\/span>time helps create good habits and allows them to settle into the school day, with their peers. When children\/young <\/span>people are late essential teaching inputs and social interactions are missed.<\/span><\/p>\n

We understand that sometimes pupils may arrive late for reasons out with their control. <\/span><\/p>\n

To support good attendance, our schools strive to make sure:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Every child\/young person is happy in their friendships at school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Every child\/young person is happy in their learning at school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/span> Every parent knows who they can come to with concerns at an early stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Springfield PS \u00a0we have an increased focus on improving school attendance. We will <\/span>communicate with you regarding attendance rates.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Types of absence<\/h2>\n

Each absence is classed as authorised or unauthorised. Absences are authorised where reasons are considered valid and unauthorised where no explanation, or unacceptable reasons are given.<\/p>\n

Authorised absences<\/h3>\n

We understand that life can present challenges, and there may be times when absence is unavoidable. Let your school know in the first instance. Your child\u2019s pupil support teacher\/guidance teacher is there to offer support if necessary.<\/p>\n

The following reasons are considered acceptable:<\/p>\n