If your child is unwell, please email absence@highashschool.co.uk or call the school (01525 261620) as early as possible on the first day of absence.

Attendance is very important.   Every day, children learn new things and develop many skills.  There is a direct link between poor attendance and poor academic performance. 

Children need to establish good habits and routines during the primary years – they will need this discipline when they enter the workplace. This will give them better career prospects.  Children miss more than just lessons when they miss school – they miss their friends and miss out on developing social skills too.

Every day counts - days not at school add up to lost learning.

• There are 365 days per year and 190 school days per year.
• That leaves 175 days to spend on family time, visits, holidays, treats and appointments.

Did you know...

• A pupil who has 80% attendance misses an average of one day a week; nearly 40 days in a year – approximately 8 weeks of every year.  That’s over 200 hours of learning missed or the equivalent of a year off by the time a child reaches Year 5 - certainly something to think about!

Punctuality is Important

The school day starts at 8.50am. We welcome our children into school from 8.40am when the teacher meets them at the classroom door. That way, the children are ready for the 8.50am start.

Children who miss the start of the day miss out on a crucial ‘settling down’ period – a chance to catch up on news with friends, share stories with their teacher, find their belongings, hang up their coats, and prepare for a day of learning.

Did you know...

• If your child is just 5 minutes late every day – that adds up to over 3 days lost each year.
• If your child is late by 15 minutes each day, that is the same as being absent for 2 weeks per year.

How can parents support their child?

1) Make sure your child has enough sleep

2) Make sure your child has an alarm clock or is woken in plenty of time.

3) Make sure your child has clothes ready the night before, including additional PE or swimming kit if necessary

4) Arrange dental and medical appointments outside of school hours wherever possible

5) Do not book holidays in term time - they will not be authorised