Attendance Update

Attendance Update Four of the Academic Year

We are writing to provide the fourth attendance update of this academic year. As we progress through the term, we want to emphasise the crucial importance of pupils attending school regularly. Our school is committed to providing a high standard of education, and regular attendance plays a key role in your child’s academic success and future opportunities. We understand that occasional absences may be unavoidable, but we urge all parents to help ensure their child attends school every day, unless there is a valid reason for their absence.

The Department for Education (DfE) recently released research on the impact of school absence on lifetime earnings.

When comparing persistently absent pupils (those with attendance below 90%) to those who are above 90% there is a difference of £10,000 in average earnings at the age of 28. These figures highlight the long-term financial impact that missing school can have on pupils' futures, including the impact that one day of absence can have.

Additionally, the report shows that increased absence raises the odds, at age 28, of not being in stable employment. The likelihood of being in sustained employment for 12 months decreases by approximately 60% for pupils classified as persistently absent and by approximately 75% for those classified as severely absent.

This reinforces the idea that good attendance not only affects academic performance but also has a significant bearing on future career prospects and stability.

In light of this, we would like to offer a few strategies that can help ensure your child attends school regularly:

1. Maintain a consistent routine: Encourage your child to follow a consistent sleep schedule to ensure they are rested and ready for school each day, including removing your child's mobile phone from their bedroom so that it is not used throughout the night.
2. Plan ahead for appointments: Where possible, try to schedule medical or dental appointments outside of school hours or during school holidays to minimise disruptions to their learning.
3. Talk to your child about the importance of school: Engage in conversations about the value of education and how attending school regularly, contributes to their long term goals.
4. Stay in communication with the school: If your child is unwell or there is a concern that might affect their attendance, please contact the school as soon as possible so that we can offer support where needed.
5. Create a positive learning environment at home: Encourage your child to engage in their homework and any school-related activities to maintain a positive attitude towards their education.

We are here to support you and your child, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing cooperation in helping to maintain strong attendance. If you have any concerns about your child's attendance, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@st-james.barnet.sch.uk.

A reminder that any holiday should be taken during the school holiday periods, as the school will not authorise any holiday taken during term time.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Mr S Wills

Assistant Headteacher