Attendance
At Bowsland Green Primary School, we firmly believe that excellent attendance is the foundation for success. Every day in school matters, and we work closely with families to ensure all children have the best possible start in life. All staff are concerned for the children’s welfare and happiness and everyone plays a part in promoting regular attendance among the pupils.
Good attendance and punctuality are important if children are to take part fully in school life, feel valued and take advantage of the learning opportunities offered. In addition, we recognise that attending school regularly and punctually is vital to the educational process and encourages a good pattern of work.
Why Attendance Matters
Regular attendance helps children:
- Build strong friendships
- Develop confidence and independence
- Keep up with learning and make steady progress
- Establish good habits for secondary school and beyond
Missing school can mean missing vital learning experiences that are difficult to replace. Regular and prompt attendance will help them to feel part of the whole school team and support them in growing their potential.
Our Attendance Expectations
We expect all pupils to aim for at least 96% attendance across the school year.
- 🟢 96–100% – Excellent attendance
- 🟡 90–95% – At risk of falling behind
- 🔴 Below 90% – Persistent absence (Department for Education definition)
If your child’s attendance drops below expected levels, we will contact you to offer support and discuss how we can help.
Reporting an Absence
If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please:
- Call the school office before 9:00am on the first day of absence
- Provide your child’s name, class, and reason for absence
- Keep us updated if the absence continues
Children should be at school unless they have sickness, diarrhoea or a high temperature. Please let the class teacher know if your child seems ‘under the weather’ and we will ring you if their condition worsens. However, children should not attend school for 48 hours after they have been sick or have had diarrhoea.
You can contact the office by:
- 📞 Telephone: 01454 866766
- 📧 Email:
Medical Appointments
Where possible, please arrange medical and dental appointments outside of school hours. If this is not possible:
- Inform the school office in advance
- Provide appointment evidence
- Ensure your child returns to school promptly after the appointment
Term-Time Holidays
In line with guidance from the Department for Education, headteachers are unable to authorise holidays during term time except in exceptional circumstances.
Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice issued by the local authority.
We strongly encourage families to plan holidays during the official school holiday periods.
Punctuality
The school day begins at 8:45am with the register closing at 9:05am.
Arriving late can be unsettling for children and disrupt learning. Repeated lateness will be monitored and followed up.
Need Support?
We understand that sometimes attendance can be affected by health, family circumstances, or other challenges. Please contact:
Mr James Ridd – Attendance Champion
We are here to help and support you.
Together, we can make every school day count! 🌟
For further information surrounding attendance at Bowsland Green, please click on the link to our Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
