Attendance & Punctuality: A Parents and Carers Guide

Helping young people attend school regularly and on time is one of the most important ways families can support achievement, wellbeing, and long-term success. This section of our website provides clear information and practical strategies, along with support pathways for families facing challenges such as anxiety, mental health concerns, or barriers at home.

Why Attendance Matters

As a Parent or Carer, ensuring your child attends school every day gives them the best opportunity to succeed, whether they are in Year 7, preparing for GCSEs, or studying A Levels in Sixth Form.

• Continuous Learning and Progress
  Every school day introduces new knowledge, skills and experiences. Regular attendance helps students keep up with their learning, avoid gaps in understanding and build confidence in the classroom.
• Stronger Examination Outcomes
  Good attendance is closely linked to higher attainment. Whether studying in Key Stage 3, preparing for GCSEs or working towards A Levels, students who attend regularly are better placed to achieve their potential and reach their academic goals.
• Positive Friendships and Wellbeing
  Attending school every day helps students develop and maintain friendships, feel connected to their peers and benefit from the support of trusted adults.
• Preparation for Future Success
  Regular attendance helps young people develop important life skills such as commitment, resilience, time management and responsibility. These habits are valued by universities, apprenticeship providers and employers.
• A Strong Sense of Belonging
  Students who attend regularly are more likely to feel part of their tutor group, classes and the wider school community. This sense of belonging supports confidence, wellbeing and engagement with learning.
• Access to Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
  School life extends far beyond lessons. Regular attendance ensures students can participate in enrichment activities, clubs, educational visits, careers events, leadership opportunities and Sixth Form experiences.
• Support During Key Transition Years
  Attendance is especially important during significant milestones such as moving into secondary school, starting GCSE courses, and beginning A Level studies. Being present every day helps students settle quickly and make the most of these important stages of their education.
• Every Lesson Counts
  Learning builds over time. Missing just a few lessons can make it more difficult to keep up, particularly in examination years when each lesson contributes towards final outcomes. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track and achieve their full potential.

Excellent attendance is one of the most powerful ways parents can support their child's success, wellbeing and future opportunities from Year 7 through to Year 13.

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Every Day Counts

It is surprising just how many lost learning hours there are when a student attendance is 95% or below.

For a Year 12 or 13 student studying A Levels, an attendance rate of 95% equates to approximately:

• 10 hours of learning lost in each A Level subject

If attendance drops to 90%, this increases to:

• 20 hours of learning lost in each A Level subject

Given the depth of content covered in A Level courses and the importance of independent study, even a small drop in attendance can have a significant impact on progress and attainment.

For a Year 10 or 11 student studying for their GCSEs, an attendance rate of 95% equates to approximately the following hours of lost learning:

• 8 hours of Maths
• 8 hours of English
• 11 hours of Science
• 5 hours of each other GCSE subject

If attendance drops to 90%, these figures double to:

• 16 hours of Maths
• 16 hours of English
• 22 hours of Science
• 10 hours of each other GCSE subject

For a Year 7 to 9 student, an attendance rate of 95% equates to approximately the following hours of lost learning:

• 7 hours of Maths
• 7 hours of English
• 7 hours of Science
• 3 hours of History, Geography and Design Technology
• 2 hours of Art, Music, Drama, Computer Science and Religious Studies/PSHCE

If attendance drops to 90%, these figures double to:

• 14 hours of Maths
• 14 hours of English
• 14 hours of Science
• 6 hours of History, Geography and Design Technology
• 4 hours of Art, Music, Drama, Computer Science and Religious Studies/PSHCE

For an attendance of 85% the learning hours lost for 95% will treble.

Every lesson matters. Lost learning quickly accumulates, making it more difficult for students to keep up with their studies, develop secure knowledge and achieve their full potential.