Attendance

Attendance at Chapelhill Primary School

At Chapelhill Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance is fundamental to children’s academic success, emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging. Every day in school matters. The learning, routines, friendships and experiences that take place each day cannot be replicated or “caught up” in the same way at home.

We are proud to be part of the Inclusive Attendance Programme, which reflects our commitment to promoting attendance through understanding, early intervention and strong relationships. Attendance is not simply about compliance; it is about ensuring every child feels safe, supported and ready to learn.

Our attendance philosophy is rooted in a recognition-based approach that recognises both personal and collective achievements. This approach serves to thwart isolation, prevent victimisation, cultivate positive environments, nurture relationships, foster inclusivity, and ultimately cultivate intrinsic motivation among our children, families, and staff.

Why Attendance Matters

Regular attendance ensures that children:

Secure strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics
Build knowledge cumulatively and avoid gaps in learning
Develop positive learning habits and resilience
Form and maintain healthy friendships
Feel settled, confident and part of the Chapelhill community

Even small amounts of absence can have a significant impact over time. Missing lessons means missing key explanations, modelling, discussion and guided practice. This can create gaps in foundational knowledge, affect progress across subjects and impact children’s confidence.

Poor attendance can also affect emotional wellbeing. Children who are frequently absent may feel less connected to peers, less secure in routines and more anxious about returning to school. Consistent attendance promotes stability, belonging and positive mental health.

How We Support Families

We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure that every child attends school regularly and punctually.

Our approach includes:

Building strong relationships
We prioritise open, honest and supportive communication so that we understand the individual circumstances and challenges families may be facing.

Early identification and inclusive support
Through the Inclusive Attendance Programme, we monitor attendance carefully and respond early to emerging concerns. This ensures support is timely, proportionate and tailored to each family’s needs.

Removing barriers to attendance
Where attendance is affected by additional needs, we ensure appropriate provision is in place. This may include SEND support, reasonable adjustments, pastoral or nurture support, adapted timetables or phased transitions where appropriate.

Working with external agencies
Where needed, we seek support from external professionals such as the Local Authority, health services or Early Help teams to ensure families receive the right help at the right time.

Clear expectations and statutory responsibilities
Whilst we always aim to support first, we also have a legal duty to promote good attendance in line with national guidance. If attendance does not improve despite support, the Local Authority may consider further action.

Multi-Tiered System of Support

To guarantee a comprehensive approach to attendance, we implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for school attendance involves three tiers of intervention, with roles for teachers, the school, children, parents, and external agencies – including the Local Authority. Data-driven decision-making and training requirements are pivotal to the implementation of the system. The system aligns with the Department for Education's (DFE) "Working Together to Improve School Attendance" guidelines.

Our Commitment

Attendance is everyone’s responsibility. At Chapelhill, we are committed to:

Creating a safe, welcoming environment where children want to attend
Supporting families with empathy and understanding
Addressing barriers swiftly and effectively
Maintaining high expectations for all pupils

By working together, we can ensure that every child benefits fully from the education, opportunities and experiences that school provides.

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance, please contact the school office or speak to a member of the leadership team. We are here to help and support our Chapelhill families.

Attendance Policy

School Attendance Policy Working together to improve school attendance - DfE Guidance

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