~~ Punctuality ~~
~~ Attendance ~~
The Every Child Matters Academy Trust is committed to promoting a culture of high expectation, achievement and excellence. Good attendance is crucial if students are to take advantage of the opportunities available to them and complete a successful journey through their time at the Trust’s schools and as they move on into higher education or the world of work. All the Trust’s stakeholders (including parents, staff, Governors and Trustees) need to work in partnership to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities in our aim to promote high standards of attendance and punctuality. The overall aim for all children should be for 100% attendance therefore any absence should only be for unavoidable and genuine reasons. We are committed to meeting our obligation with regards to school attendance through our whole-school culture and ethos that values good attendance, including: • Promoting good attendance • Reducing absence, including persistent and severe absence • Ensuring every pupil has access to the full-time education to which they are entitled • Acting early to address patterns of absence • Building strong relationships with families to ensure pupils have the support in place to attend school
~~ The Wellgate Attendance Team ~~
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Why is regular attendance important?
Any absence, including family holidays, negatively affects the pattern of a child’s education and regular absence will seriously affect learning and achievement. It can also have a de-motivating effect if they are unable to access parts of the curriculum following absences. Every school day matters. Our schools will seek to build on partnerships with parents/carers by informing them about attendance and punctuality concerns at an early stage. The school’s Attendance Officer and office staff are responsible for making daily calls with regard to children’s non-attendance to parents and carers. Part of this role is also to record absence correctly on the attendance system (SIMS) for our school. Good attendance and punctuality is recognised and rewarded in school in various ways.
Attendance at Wellgate Primary School
Every Day Counts
Belong. Achieve. Thrive.
At Wellgate Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in helping children feel happy, build friendships, achieve their potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Our vision is simple:
Every child, every day, ready to Belong, Achieve and Thrive.
Attendance is not just about percentages. It is about giving every child the opportunity to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
Our Attendance VisionWe want every child to:
❤️ Belong – feel connected to school, their friends and their teachers.
⭐ Achieve – access every lesson and reach their full potential.
🌱 Thrive – develop confidence, resilience and positive wellbeing through regular school attendance.
Our Attendance StrategyOver the next two years we are committed to improving attendance through a positive partnership with our families.
Rather than simply focusing on fines and warning letters, our approach is centred around:
- building strong relationships with families
- understanding barriers to attendance
- offering early support
- celebrating improvement
- helping everyone understand why attendance matters.
Our Attendance Targets
We are proud that attendance has continued to improve over the past two academic years, but we know there is more to do.
Our targets are:
Academic Year Whole School Attendance Target
Current 94.1%
July 2027 95.0%
July 2028 95.5%
Alongside these targets we are also working to:
- Reduce Persistent Absence.
- Reduce Severe Absence.
- Improve attendance for disadvantaged pupils.
- Improve attendance for pupils with SEND where appropriate.
- Increase the number of children achieving 96% or above attendance.
Working Together
We firmly believe that improving attendance is everyone's responsibility.
Our attendance team works closely with:
- Parents and carers
- Class teachers
- Senior leaders
- SEND staff
- Safeguarding staff
- The Education Welfare Officer
- Outside agencies where appropriate.
Early Support
If we notice attendance beginning to decline, we won't simply wait until it becomes a problem.
Our team regularly reviews attendance data to identify children who may need additional support.
This may include:
- meetings with parents
- pastoral support
- Early Help
- SEND support
- referrals to outside agencies
- personalised attendance plans.
Celebrating Attendance
We know that recognition is important.
Throughout the year we celebrate:
- improved attendance
- excellent punctuality
- class attendance achievements
- whole-school attendance successes
- individual progress.
Attendance Ambassadors
Children have an important role to play in promoting attendance across the school.
Our Attendance Ambassadors help to:
- promote positive attendance messages
- share attendance information in assemblies
- encourage punctuality
- support our vision of Belong, Achieve and Thrive.
Attendance Facts
Research consistently shows that children with good attendance:
- achieve higher outcomes
- build stronger friendships
- feel more connected to school
- develop greater confidence
- are better prepared for secondary school and future employment.
Making a Difference
Our new attendance strategy is already having a positive impact.
62% of families who have worked with our Attendance Officer have made noticeable improvements in attendance and punctuality.We are incredibly proud of the commitment shown by our families and will continue to work together to ensure every child has the very best chance to succeed.
Attendance Isn't Just About Being Here…It's about being part of something.
Every lesson.
Every friendship.
Every opportunity.
Belong. Achieve. Thrive. Every Day Counts.
