The Importance of School Attendance at Avonmouth C of E Primary School

At Avonmouth C of E Primary School, we believe that regular attendance is fundamental to every pupil’s success and well-being. Being present at school every day ensures that pupils benefit from excellent teaching, engaging learning experiences, and the opportunity to build strong friendships within our caring community. Good attendance is essential for pupils to prosper and flourish, reflecting our school vision inspired by Psalm 1:3 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.”

Why Attendance Matters

Consistent attendance supports pupils to:

  • Achieve their full potential academically and personally.
  • Develop positive relationships with peers and staff.
  • Build confidence and a sense of belonging.
  • Access the full curriculum, including vital phonics, writing, and maths learning.
  • Establish routines that prepare them for future success.

Research and local data from Bristol City Council show that pupils with good attendance are more likely to achieve better outcomes and enjoy a positive school experience.

Our Approach to Attendance

We are committed to fostering a whole-school culture where high attendance is valued by pupils, families, and staff. Our attendance policy is clear and transparent, outlining expectations, procedures, and support systems to ensure every pupil can attend regularly.

Key steps we take include:

  • Clear Attendance Expectations: We expect pupils to be in school and on time every day. The school day starts promptly, and registers close 30 minutes after the session begins. Parents are asked to inform us promptly if their child is absent.

Children are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:50am. If your child is late please bring them to the school office. Any child arriving after 8:50 will be given a late mark. Children arriving after 9:20 will be marked as having an unauthorised absence. Our lessons start promptly in the morning and arriving late disrupts both their learning and the learning of others. 

  • First Day Contact: If a pupil is absent without explanation, we contact parents on the first day to understand the reason and offer support.
  • Monitoring and Support: Attendance is closely monitored. We identify pupils and groups at risk of poor attendance or persistent absence and work collaboratively with families and Bristol City Council to address barriers.
  • Regular Communication: Parents receive updates on their child’s attendance, with clear information about the impact of absence on learning.
  • Partnership Working: We work closely with local authority services, including health, social care, and community organisations, to provide tailored support for families facing challenges.
  • Incentives and Recognition: We celebrate good attendance and punctuality to encourage positive habits.

Working Together for Success

Improving attendance is a shared responsibility. We ask parents and carers to support their child’s learning by ensuring they attend school regularly and arrive on time. If you have any concerns or need support with attendance, please contact our attendance officer or senior leader responsible for attendance.

Together, we can help every pupil at Avonmouth CE Primary School to prosper, flourish, and grow as unique individuals.