At Our Lady of Fatima, we want every child to attend school every day they are well enough to do so. Regular attendance supports learning, wellbeing, friendships and a sense of belonging. We work closely with families to help every child attend, achieve and thrive.
Why Attendance Matters
| Days Missed in a School Year | Learning Time Lost |
|---|---|
| 5 days | Around 1 week |
| 10 days | Around 2 weeks |
| 19 days | Nearly 4 weeks |
| 38 days | Nearly 8 weeks |
Even a few days of absence can quickly add up and lead to gaps in learning, reduced confidence and missed opportunities.
The Department for Education defines Persistent Absence as missing 10% or more of school sessions across the academic year. For most children, this is approximately 19 school days, or just one day every two weeks.
Persistent absence can affect:
If your child's attendance begins to decline, we will work with you to understand any barriers and provide appropriate support.
If your child is absent, please contact the school office before 8:30am and provide a reason for the absence.
Telephone: 0121 429 290
Where possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours. If this is not possible, children should attend school before and after their appointment wherever they can.
Parents do not have an automatic right to take children out of school during term time. Leave of absence can only be authorised by the Headteacher in exceptional circumstances. Requests must be made in writing in advance. Unauthorised absences may result in action being taken in line with national attendance regulations.
We understand that some children and families face challenges that can affect attendance. If you need support, please speak to us as early as possible. By working together, we can help remove barriers and ensure every child benefits from all the opportunities school has to offer.
'Every day in school matters. Every lesson counts. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, belong and flourish.'