Lawefield Primary School

Attendance Matters at Lawefield Primary School 

At Lawefield Primary, we are proud to see our pupils arriving on time each day, dressed smartly in their correct uniform. Attending school regularly not only improves academic attainment but also opens doors to greater opportunities and future success. 

Why Attendance is Important

The link between attendance and achievement is clear. In 2018/19, only 40% of persistently absent (PA) pupils in Key Stage 2 achieved the expected standards, compared to 84% of pupils who attended regularly. 

However, attendance is important for more than just academic success. Regular school attendance helps children build positive peer relationships, which play a key role in supporting their mental health and overall well-being. 

Our Commitment to Attendance Our school is dedicated to meeting attendance expectations by: 

• Promoting good attendance and reducing absence, particularly persistent absence (90% and below). 

• Ensuring every pupil has access to the full-time education they are entitled to. 

• Acting early to identify and address patterns of absence. 

• Working closely with the Education Welfare Service to monitor and support pupil attendance. 

Attendance Expectations 

Our school target is 96% attendance, which only allows for approximately 6 to 7 days of absence across the school year. We kindly ask for your support in helping your child reach this goal. 

Your Responsibilities as a Parent/Carer 

As a parent or carer, it is your legal responsibility to ensure that your child, if of compulsory school age, attends school regularly and on time. The local authority has a duty to ensure this responsibility is met. 

We understand that, as parents, you make most decisions regarding your child’s daily routines, including school attendance. We encourage you to work closely with us to ensure the best outcomes for your child. Minor illnesses such as coughs and colds can often be managed at school, and if your child becomes too unwell during the day, we will contact you promptly. Please encourage your child to attend school unless they are genuinely too ill to do so. 

Medical Appointments 

Where possible, we kindly ask that routine medical appointments are scheduled before or after school, or during the school holidays, which total over 13 weeks across the year. Appointments during school hours can have a significant impact on your child’s attendance record. 

Holidays and Leave During Term Time 

The law states that parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays or leave during term time. Leave can only be granted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the head teacher, in line with the school governing body’s policies and Local Authority guidance. 

Parents who choose to take their child out of school during term time without permission may receive a fixed penalty fine per parent, per child. If you are considering requesting leave, please contact the school and complete the Application for Leave form. A Penalty Notice Fines leaflet from Wakefield Council is attached for further information. 

Celebrating Good Attendance at Lawefield Primary 

At Lawefield Primary, we believe that good attendance deserves recognition and celebration! We have a variety of exciting rewards to encourage and motivate our pupils to attend school regularly. 

• Weekly Rewards: 

• The class with the highest attendance from the previous week will enjoy five extra minutes of playtime on a day chosen by their class teacher. 

• Parents will receive a weekly email congratulating them if their child has achieved 100% attendance that week. 

• Half-Termly Rewards: 

Pupils who achieve 96% attendance or above each half term will be entered into a special raffle, with the grand draw taking place at the end of the academic year. Prizes are awarded for each key stage, and the exciting rewards are announced early in the school year. 

• Fantastic Prizes Up for Grabs: 

We offer a range of brilliant prizes to celebrate outstanding attendance, including vouchers, scooters, and even Amazon Fire Tablets! 

By encouraging good attendance, we aim to create a positive and rewarding school experience for all our pupils. Thank you for supporting us in helping your child reach their full potential.