Attendance and Punctuality

A good education gives a child the best possible start in life. We must ensure that all our pupils have an equal chance to make good use of the education that Longwood offers by providing a positive and encouraging atmosphere. To achieve this it is important that each child attends school regularly and punctually. When a child does not attend school regularly and on time they will have difficulty keeping up with their work and therefore underachieve. 

Longwood recognises that parents have a vital role to play in supporting and encouraging good attendance and punctuality. By accepting responsibility in partnership with Longwood, we can work together to ensure the children’s right to a full education, as well as enabling parents to fulfil their legal responsibility.

It is important for all children to attend school every day and to arrive on time. Lessons starts promptly at 8.30am and they should arrive in good time for when the bell goes. This is essential to ensure that children benefit fully from classroom learning and that other children’s learning is not disrupted. 

To help with punctuality pupils can arrive from 8.15am.  Not only does lateness make a bad start to the day, arrival after 8.30am is considered half a day’s absence. All lateness/attendance is recorded and monitored by the school and the Education Welfare Officers.

The only acceptable reason for a child to miss a day of school is if they are too ill to attend. If this is the case then you are required to ring the school office before 8.30am.  Authorisation for absence will not be given for outings, shopping trips or family visits. Holidays should be taken during the school breaks and not during term time. 

Medical appointments should be made out of hours if at all possible. If your child has to see a specialist doctor or dentist in school time they should attend school for as much of the day as possible. It is not permitted to take a whole day off school for a medical appointment unless the appointment lasts all day. 

Question: When is 90% not considered to be a positive outcome?

Answer: When its linked to attendance.

90% attendance= Half a day missed every week.

1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 weeks of learning missed.

Over 5 years of school = half a school year missed!

Good Attendance means being in school at least 96% of the time = best chance of success!