Every School day matters

Every School day counts

A Guide for Parents

Attending school has a huge impact on your child’s success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school on time and safely. RFSS takes your child’s education and attendance very seriously and want to raise awareness of the importance of regular and attendance.

If your child is missing lessons it can affect their learning in the following ways;

  • Affect’s student’s attainment.
  • Students suffer a break in the continuity of their learning or the start of a new topic
  • Due to missed work student’s lack confidence and information. They may struggle to

catch up – much of the missed work is never made up.

  • Missed work is a huge disadvantage during exam times.
  • Your child’s progress and results suffer when they are not in school.
  • Effects on your child’s learning, friendships and social development.

Every School day matters

For your child to reach their academic potential good attendance at school is essential. We expect children to be in school every day if they are well enough to do so. We believe that our students should enjoy coming to school and we provide a caring and rewarding environment for all students to learn and succeed. They are given opportunities to learn new things and develop their ideas. Students with high attendance usually leave school with more qualifications and greater access to further education/employment options. Please ask for more information on the new 2017 GCSE Grading.

Attendance % / Total number of days off in a year / Impact on your GCSE Grades
100%
95% / 0 days
10 days / Above 95% attendance – good chance of 5 9 – 4 Grades.
94% attendance – fair chance of 5 9 -4 Grades
90% / 20 days / 92% attendance – fair chance of 5 9 – 2 Grades
90% attendance – less than 50% chance of 5 9 -2 Grades
85% / 30 days / 88% attendance – less than 35% chance of 5 9 – 2 grades
Less than 85% attendance – less than 30% chance at 5 9 -2 Grades

When students apply for college, sixth form or apprenticeship placements, the school will be asked for a reference which will include information on attendance and punctuality. If their attendance is poor this could have an effect on ability to find a placement.

The more time students append around peers, whether in the classroom environment or part of a school team, the more chance they have of making friends and building social skills, confidence and self-esteem.

If a student misses just one day a week, over the course of their school life this equates to missing 2 years of schooling.

Helping your child be responsible for good attendance and punctuality can help them through into adult and working life.

A routine and small changes can make all the difference

Routine and organization in the morning can make a huge difference, here are six useful tips to try;

  • Being unprepared for school in the morning can cause much stress. Ensure bags are correctly packed the night before, PE bags are in order and homework is up to date.
  • Try and ensure your child goes to bed at a reasonable time and has a full night sleep.
  • Routine of getting up at the same time every morning, set the alarm for the same time every day.
  • Make time for breakfast, a nutritious breakfast also fuels effective learning.
  • It can be unsettling and embarrassing to always arrive late. Getting to school in time to meet and chat with friends before registration od ten starts the day.
  • Use a calendar/diary to make a note of any trips or activities which alter the school day. Be prepared.

For further information, advice, guidance and the law please go to