Attendance Curriculum
Attendance at Eaves
Every Day Counts
At Eaves Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance is fundamental to children's achievement, wellbeing and future success.
Being in school every day enables children to build secure knowledge, develop positive relationships, participate fully in school life and achieve their full potential.
Attendance is everyone's responsibility. By working together with families, we aim to ensure that every child attends school regularly, arrives on time and feels a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Our Attendance Vision
At Eaves Primary School, we want every child to:
⭐ Attend school regularly
⭐ Arrive on time and ready to learn
⭐ Feel safe, valued and included
⭐ Develop positive friendships
⭐ Achieve their very best
⭐ Access the full curriculum and enrichment opportunities available to them
⭐ Build habits that will support future success
We know that children who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve well, develop confidence and enjoy positive wellbeing.
Our attendance culture is built on high expectations, strong relationships and a shared commitment to helping every child succeed.
Why Attendance Matters
Every day in school matters.
When children attend school consistently, they benefit from:
📚 Better academic progress
🗣 Improved communication and language development
😊 Stronger wellbeing and confidence
🤝 Positive friendships and relationships
🌍 Access to wider curriculum experiences
⭐ Increased aspirations and opportunities
Children cannot learn what they are not present to experience.
Excellent attendance supports both academic achievement and personal development.
Working Together to Improve Attendance
Working Together to Improve Attendance
At Eaves Primary School, we work closely with pupils, families and external agencies to promote positive attendance and remove barriers to learning.
Our approach is built upon five key principles:
EXPECT
We promote a culture where attendance matters and where every child is expected to attend school regularly and punctually.
MONITOR
Attendance, punctuality and patterns of absence are reviewed regularly to identify concerns at the earliest opportunity.
LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND
We work in partnership with families to understand individual circumstances and identify barriers affecting attendance.
FACILITATE SUPPORT
Where support is needed, we work collaboratively with families to identify solutions and provide appropriate help.
FORMALISE SUPPORT
Where attendance concerns persist, more formal support and intervention may be required to ensure children receive their entitlement to education.
Our Attendance Team
Attendance is a whole-school priority.
Mrs Watson
Attendance Officer
Mrs Watson oversees attendance monitoring, first-day response procedures, attendance tracking and family support.
Mrs Lloyd
Attendance Officer and Safeguarding Manager
Mrs Lloyd works closely with families, staff and external agencies to ensure attendance concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately.
Together, they support children and families to overcome barriers and promote positive attendance.
Celebrating Attendance
We believe that positive attendance should be recognised and celebrated.
SAM – School Attendance Matters
🏆 Weekly attendance recognition
🏆 Individual achievements
🏆 Class celebrations
🏆 Improved attendance awards
Early Bird Award
⏰ Promoting punctuality
⏰ Encouraging positive morning routines
⏰ Celebrating classes with excellent attendance and punctuality
By recognising success, we help children develop positive habits that support lifelong learning.
Supporting Families
We recognise that there may be occasions when children and families need additional support.
Support may include:
🤝 Attendance meetings
🤝 Individual attendance plans
🤝 Early Help support
🤝 Pastoral support
🤝 Signposting to external agencies
🤝 Multi-agency working
Our aim is always to work collaboratively with families and provide support at the earliest opportunity.
First Day Response
Safeguarding is our highest priority.
If a child is absent without explanation, our attendance team will:
📞 Contact parents or carers on the first day of absence
📞 Follow up where necessary
🏠 Undertake welfare checks where appropriate
🛡 Work closely with safeguarding staff to ensure children are safe and supported
Prompt communication helps us ensure the wellbeing of every child.
Understanding Attendance
Excellent Attendance
97% – 100%
Children are accessing the full curriculum and maximising learning opportunities.
Good Attendance
95% – 96.9%
Children are attending regularly but should aim to maintain or improve attendance.
Attendance Concern
90% – 94.9%
Attendance is beginning to impact learning and support may be required.
Persistent Absence
Below 90%
A child is classed as persistently absent when attendance falls below 90%.
Additional monitoring and support will be put in place to improve attendance and remove barriers.
Holidays During Term Time
The Department for Education expects children to attend school during term time.
Leave of absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.
Family holidays are not normally considered exceptional circumstances.
Parents should submit requests in writing to the Headteacher before making any travel arrangements.
Unauthorised leave may result in a Penalty Notice being issued in line with national regulations.
The Difference Attendance Makes
At Eaves Primary School, we know that attendance is about far more than being present.
Regular attendance helps children to:
⭐ Achieve well
⭐ Feel included
⭐ Build confidence
⭐ Develop resilience
⭐ Form positive relationships
⭐ Access enrichment opportunities
⭐ Prepare for future success
By working together, we can ensure every child attends, achieves and thrives.