We are delighted to share news that we have been recognised for our fantastic attendance numbers with an FFT Education National School Attendance Award for the autumn term of 2022/23. This means we are in the top 10% of primary schools in England for attendance – we attribute our great attendance record to the mutual communications we maintain with our parents and carers.

Helen Cawkill, principal, believes it is crucial to make expectations clear as soon as children start in nursery, even though at that point attendance is not statutory. “We work with individual parents to try to identify if there are any difficulties with attendance and we offer things like breakfast club to help overcomes any barriers as well.”

We communicate regularly through newsletters, parents’ evenings, assemblies and even on class windows with posters. Helen believes it is through engaging with our parents to value the results of good attendance, that we all work together to achieving consistently high attendance numbers by all pupils – enabling children to thrive without disruption or loss of learning and to get the most out of their early years education.

When asked what this award means to the academy Helen added: “We are very proud of our overall attendance, especially our reception children – their attendance has been fantastic and many of them are not yet at the statutory compulsory school age.”