Why is school attendance important? 

The Department for Education (DfE) has carried out considerable research into the long term effects of good attendance as is outlined below:

Being in school is important to your child’s academic achievement, wellbeing, and wider development.  There is evidence to suggest that regular school attendance is a key mechanism to support children and young people's educational, economic and social outcomes. Schools can facilitate positive peer relationships, which is a contributes to better mental health and wellbeing.

Attendance at school is crucial to prepare young people for successful transition to adulthood, and to support their longer term economic and social participation in society. There is also evidence that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A level results. 

DfE research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well. 

For example, data from 2019 shows that 84% of Key Stage 2 pupils who had 100% attendance achieved the expected standard, compared to 40% of pupils who were persistently absent across the key stage. 

Hucknall National Primary School start of school day: 08:40

                                                         end of school day: 15:15 (32 hrs 55 mins per week)