Every School Day Matters
We wanted to take a moment to talk about something that makes a real difference to your child’s time at Higher Walton CE Primary School – regular school attendance.
We know that family life can sometimes be busy and challenging, and there will be times when children are genuinely unwell or circumstances make coming to school difficult. Our approach will always be one of support, understanding and working together with families.
At the same time, every school day matters. Regular attendance gives children the best opportunity to learn, grow, make friends and enjoy all that school has to offer.
It’s about much more than lessons
School is not just about academic learning. Being in school regularly helps children to:
- build friendships and feel that they belong;
- develop confidence, independence and resilience;
- learn to communicate, cooperate and work with others;
- develop routines and good habits;
- take part in worship, clubs, trips and special events; and
- feel part of our Higher Walton family and community.
We want every child to feel safe, valued, included and happy to come to school.
Small amounts of absence can add up
It can sometimes feel as though missing a day here and there will not make much difference. However, a child who regularly misses just one day every two weeks could miss around 19 school days – almost four weeks of school – across a year. This could mean missing important learning, time with friends or special experiences that cannot easily be repeated.
If your child is finding school difficult
Attendance can sometimes be affected by anxiety, worries, friendships, SEND or changes at home. If your child is finding school difficult, please talk to us, your child’s class teacher is always happy to listen and work with you and your child to find practical ways to help.
Sometimes improving attendance starts with a small step. We will celebrate progress and work with families to build confidence and consistency.
What if my child is unwell?
We understand that children do become ill. Please let school know as soon as possible and provide clear information about their symptoms. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please refer to the NHS guidance:
NHS – Is my child too ill for school? - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
For minor illnesses, such as a simple cold, children can often still attend school. If we feel your child is not well enough to remain in school, we will contact you.
Working together
The updated Department for Education attendance guidance places a strong emphasis on schools and families working together to overcome barriers to attendance.
If attendance becomes a concern, for example below 90%, our first step will be to talk with you, understand the circumstances and offer support wherever appropriate. Contact from school is not about blame – it is about working together to make sure your child gets the education, friendships and experiences they deserve.
Where support has been offered but attendance does not improve, schools and local authorities do have formal responsibilities and legal measures available. These are intended to protect a child's right to education and are not the starting point of our approach.
Let’s make every day count
At Higher Walton, we want every child to experience “Life in all its fullness.” Regular attendance is an important part of making this possible. Every day brings another opportunity to learn, laugh, play, make friends, develop confidence and be part of our school community.
We will report monthly on our figures so you can see whether we are achieving our target!
|
Attendance July 2026 |
Explorers 18 on roll |
Discovers 13 on roll |
Adventurers 22 on roll |
Navigators 28 on roll |
Whole school 81 on roll |
|
Attendance |
92% |
91% |
95% |
92% |
93% |
|
Lates |
3% |
4% |
3% |
2% |
3% |
|
Well done Adventurers class with the highest percentage attendance this month! |
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