Attendance

Bowmansgreen Primary School recognises that positive behaviours and good attendance are essential for pupils to fully benefit from their educational experience. Regular attendance significantly influences a child’s academic attainment, emotional wellbeing, and wider life chances.

According to the law, every child of compulsory school age is entitled to an efficient, full-time education that is appropriate for their age, aptitude, and any special educational needs. It is the legal responsibility of parents to ensure that their children receive this education, either by attending school or through alternative educational arrangements.

When parents choose to register their child at school, they have an additional duty to see that their child attends regularly and punctually. This entails attending each day that the school is open, with exceptions allowed only in cases of illness or pre-approved absences. Consistent attendance, therefore, is vital for children's overall development.

The Department for Education (DfE) has produced statutory guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools, and local authorities. 

It is called “Working together to improve school attendance” and it includes a National Framework in relation to absence and the use of legal sanctions. Our Attendance Policy reflects the requirements and principles of that guidance.

It has been developed in consultation with school governors, teachers, local Headteacher Associations and the Local Authority. It seeks to ensure that all parties involved in the practicalities of school attendance are aware and informed of attendance matters in school and to outline the school’s commitment to attendance being everyone’s responsibility. It details the responsibilities of individuals and groups involved and the procedures in place to promote and monitor pupil attendance. 

In addition, all schools follow the DfE’s statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, which emphasises the importance of understanding the potential vulnerabilities of children who are missing or absent from education.