Attendance at St Matthew's CE Primary School

At our school, we believe that every day counts. Attending school regularly is essential for children's learning, wellbeing, and long-term success. As a community rooted in our Christian vision, inspired by Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” – we are committed to giving every child the best possible start in life. Regular attendance is a key part of that journey.

When children attend school every day, they build strong relationships, grow in confidence, and make the most of all the opportunities our rich curriculum offers. They also develop resilience, independence, and a sense of belonging—helping them to thrive both academically and personally.

In line with the Department for Education’s 2024 guidance, we work closely with families to ensure attendance is consistently high. The Government states that attendance of at least 95% is expected to support children’s achievement, development, and future opportunities. Patterns of absence, even if occasional, can quickly add up and have a significant impact on progress. Therefore, we do all that we can to get children into school every day, including:

- clear processes and procedures for reporting absence

- timely and regular contact with parents when children are absent from school

- implementation of a broad and balanced curriculum that makes children want to come to school every day

- home visits if children are absent without notification, and if children are absent for more than one week without medical evidence provided

- meetings with families requesting term-time leave

- rewards and incentives for high school attendance such as certificates and non-uniform days

We are here to work in partnership with parents and carers to overcome any barriers to attendance. Together, we want every child to feel safe, valued, and inspired each day—living out God’s plan for a future filled with hope, purpose, and possibility.

The DfE School Attendance Guidance (2024) can be found here. 

In line with this, please find below our Attendance Policy and new Attendance Strategy.