THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTENDANCE
Information for parents
A significant part of our commitment to excellence in girls’ education and empowerment concerns attendance at school. As a school community, we share a determination to do the very best we can for each of our students. Regular school attendance is a very important part of this.
Studying with teachers and friends at school is the best way for students to learn and fulfil their potential. Time in school also provides access to pastoral care and extra-curricular opportunities. Studies published by the Department for Education (DfE) indicate that students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A Level outcomes. These studies also noted that students with lower attendance records were less likely to achieve these outcomes, when compared with their higher attending counterparts.
Every moment in school counts and what may seem like a small number of days away adds up quickly in terms of lost learning. For example, a student in Year 10 who is absent for three days over a term loses out on 15 hours of learning time. If this turns into a regular pattern of absence, this could result in 45 hours of lost learning across the academic year. The higher a student’s attendance, the more likely she is to learn well, make good progress, strengthen friendships and gain from the wider life of school, including enrichment and extra-curricular activities.
References below:
Department for Education (2023). Why is school attendance so important and what are the risks of missing a day? Link: Why is school attendance so important and what are the risks of missing a day? – The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
Department for Education (2022). The link between absence and attainment at KS2 and KS4. Link: The link between absence and attainment at KS2 and KS4, Academic year 2018/19 – Explore education statistics – GOV.UK (explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk)
