Attendance Lead: Mrs K. O'Grady, Headteacher

Inclusion Co-ordinator and family support: Mrs A. Greenway

Office Manager: Mrs S. Hancock

Why Attendance Matters

At All Saints Bedworth, we believe in "learning and growing together to be the best that we can be."

Children thrive when they feel safe, valued and connected to school. One of the most important factors in helping children flourish is regular attendance.

Being in school every day allows children to:

• build strong friendships;

• develop confidence and resilience;

• participate fully in lessons and wider school experiences;

• develop positive routines and habits;

• fulfil their academic potential;

• enjoy all aspects of school life.

Regular attendance is therefore one of the most powerful ways we can work together to support your child's success.

Working Together

We recognise that attendance can sometimes be challenging for families and that every family's circumstances are different.

We are committed to working alongside parents and carers to understand any barriers that may affect attendance and to provide support wherever possible.

If you have concerns about your child's attendance, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible. In many cases, early conversations can prevent difficulties from becoming longer-term challenges.

Our aim is always to:

• Listen.

• Understand.

• Support.

• Work together to improve attendance.

Alongside this supportive approach, we continue to have high expectations because we know how important attendance is for children's learning, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Attendance Expectations

Children should attend school every day unless they are genuinely too unwell to do so or there is another valid reason for absence.

The Government classifies attendance below 90% as persistent absence.

Attendance below this level means a significant amount of learning and important school experiences have been missed, which can affect:

• Academic progress.

• Confidence and wellbeing.

• Friendships.

• Participation in wider school life.

• Future educational outcomes.

We want every child to have the opportunity to access everything school has to offer.

What You Can Do

There are many simple ways you can help support excellent attendance:

• Avoid taking holidays during term time.

• Plan family visits outside school holidays wherever possible.

• Encourage attendance where children have minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, headaches or tiredness.

• Book medical and dental appointments outside school hours whenever possible.

• Ensure children attend before or after appointments where possible.

• Encourage part-day attendance if your child is able to attend for some of the day.

• Seek support from school early if attendance becomes difficult.

Attendance Support and Improvement

We regularly monitor attendance so that we can identify concerns early and provide support before attendance difficulties become more significant.

If your child's attendance falls below 90%, or if attendance patterns suggest they may be at risk of becoming persistently absent, we will contact you to discuss attendance and understand whether there are any barriers affecting your child's ability to attend school regularly.

At this stage we will:

• Review attendance patterns.

• Discuss any concerns with you.

• Identify any support that may be helpful.

• Work together to agree next steps.

• Monitor attendance over the following weeks.

Our aim is always to support improvement at the earliest possible stage.

Where attendance concerns continue, the school may implement its Attendance Support and Improvement Process, which includes additional support, attendance planning meetings and, where necessary, involvement from Warwickshire Attendance Service.

 

We're Here to Help

If you have any concerns about attendance, please contact:

Mrs O'Grady (Headteacher) or Mrs Greenway (Inclusion Co-ordinator)

via the school office or via Class Dojo

Please do not wait until you receive a letter from us. We would always rather have an early conversation and work together to support your child.

 

Leave of absence during term time

Whilst our attendance approach places emphasis on early support and partnership with families, national legislation relating to leave of absence during term time has not changed.

Schools may only authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances and requests must always be considered individually.

To ensure families have the most accurate and up-to-date information available, the guidance below reflects Warwickshire Local Authority's expectations and national legislation.

Leave of absence during term time will only be authorised in truly exceptional circumstances. Family holidays and similar requests are, in most cases, not considered exceptional and are unlikely to be approved. Where unauthorised absence occurs, we will consistently follow the referral process to Warwickshire Local Authority, in line with statutory guidance, to ensure a fair and consistent approach for all families.