Attendance & Punctuality
Every day counts!
At Farington Primary School, we believe that every school day matters. Regular attendance and good punctuality give children the best possible opportunity to learn, develop friendships, build confidence and achieve their very best.
We have high expectations for attendance because being in school every day, on time and ready to learn makes a real difference.
We expect all children to attend school regularly and arrive on time each day. Parents and carers have an important responsibility to ensure that their children attend school and arrive punctually, ready to learn.
Why attendance matters
Missing school means missing valuable learning, experiences and time with friends. Even occasional absence can have an impact, particularly when missed days begin to add up.
Good attendance helps children to:
Make strong academic progress.
Develop positive relationships and friendships.
Feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Build confidence, independence and resilience.
Take part fully in school life and wider opportunities.
Develop the habits and routines that will support them throughout their lives.
There is no such thing as a 'day off' from learning. Every day in school is an opportunity to learn, grow and achieve.
Being on time matters too
Good punctuality is an important part of good attendance. Children who arrive late can miss the start of their learning, important instructions and valuable time with their classmates. Late arrival can also disrupt the learning of others.
We therefore expect children to arrive at school on time every day, ready to begin their learning promptly.
Please ensure that your child arrives within the school's stated arrival times. If your child arrives after the register has closed, this may be recorded as an unauthorised absence in line with school and statutory attendance procedures.
Working together with families
We understand that there may be times when children experience difficulties attending school. Our approach is always to work positively and supportively with children and families to understand and remove barriers to attendance wherever possible.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your child's attendance, please speak to us. We would much rather work with you early to provide support than allow attendance difficulties to become more serious.
At the same time, we want to be clear that attendance is not optional. Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that their children receive their education, and we expect children to attend school regularly unless they are genuinely unwell or there is another authorised reason for absence.
Our commitment
We monitor attendance and punctuality carefully and will communicate with families when concerns arise. Where attendance is a concern, we will work with parents and carers to identify barriers, agree appropriate support and, where necessary, take further action in accordance with our attendance policy and statutory guidance.
This can include formal attendance support and, where appropriate, involvement from the local authority and legal interventions.
We also celebrate strong attendance and improvements because we want children to understand the value of being in school and take pride in their attendance.
Our message to families
Please make attendance a priority.
Book appointments outside of school hours wherever possible, plan holidays during the school holidays and ensure your child arrives at school on time every day.
By working together, we can ensure that every child at Farington has the opportunity to aim high, believe, achieve and succeed together.
