Attendance Matters!

Summer 2 Half termly Newsletter 

Together, Every Day Counts

 Did You Know?

Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better grades and build stronger friendships. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/link-between-attendance-and-attainment

Academic Achievement:

•  Pupils with 95–100% attendance at Key Stage 2 were 1.3 times more likely to meet expected standards in reading, writing, and maths than those with 90–95% attendance
• At Key Stage 4, students with 95–100% attendance were 1.9 times more likely to achieve a Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSEs
• Missing just 10 days in Year 6 can reduce the chance of meeting expected standards by 25%, and in Year 11, it can cut the likelihood of achieving a Grade 5 by 50%

 Social and Emotional Development:

 Regular attendance helps students build stronger friendships, develop better communication skills, and feel a greater sense of belonging in school

Long-Term Life Outcomes:

• Each additional day of absence in secondary school is linked to a £750 reduction in future earnings
• Higher absence rates increase the likelihood of long-term unemployment and benefit dependency by age 28

  Our Current Attendance Stats

 Whole School from September 2026: 96%

• Whole School Summer 1 Half term: 97.06%
• Previous Target: 96%

We’ve reached the target consistently … now we can set a new one!

TMS Target :    97.5% 

  Class Attendance Winners

Congratulations to Hawker’s Cove for achieving the highest attendance this half term at 98.5%

 Spotlight on Punctuality

 Did you know?

Being 10 minutes late every day = 33 hours of lost learning per year!

Let’s aim to be on time, every time.

 Top Tips for Better Attendance

• Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine
• Prepare school bags and uniforms the night before
• Do not book holidays during term time
• If possible, book medical (including dentist appointments) out of the school day or during holidays

 DfE statutory guidance is clear: holidays during term time will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Unavoidable leave of absence requests for school-aged children are generally related to one off events that are rare, significant, unavoidable, and short in duration.  Family holidays are not considered unavoidable

Taking your child out of school without permission may result in a Penalty Notice being issued.

 What this means:

• A Penalty Notice may be issued if your child has unauthorised absences, including holidays.
• The fine is £80 per child, per parent if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.
• Failure to pay may result in prosecution.
• There is no right of appeal—if you believe a notice was issued in error, you must contact the school directly.

We understand that holidays are important for family time, but we are legally required to prioritise your child’s education and wellbeing. Every school day counts.

If your child is absent from school without authorisation, you will be committing an offence under the Education Act 1996. We may submit a request to Cornwall Council for a Penalty Notice to be issued, in accordance with Sections 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid after this but within 28 days

 If your child is further absent from school without authorisation within any 3-year period, you will be committing a further offence under the Education Act 1996. We may submit a request to Cornwall Council for a Penalty Notice to be issued, in accordance with Sections 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices for a second offence are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £160, payable within 28 days.

 Importantly, fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action such as a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. 

 Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may also result in legal action. If you are prosecuted and attend court because your child has not been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500. Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs.

  Absence not authorised by the school may also result in a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court under Section 444(1) or Section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996, leading to a fine of up to £2,500 and/or a custodial sentence. Again, Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs.

 Money raised from fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government. 

  If you have any questions or need to discuss exceptional circumstances, please contact the school office.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ms Teagle