Attendance and Punctuality at Newington Green Primary School 

At Newington Green, we want every child to feel happy, confident, and excited about coming to school. Being here every day helps children make progress in their learning, develop friendships, and feel part of our welcoming school community. 

Good attendance and punctuality give children access to rich learning, supportive relationships, and the routines that build independence, resilience, and success. We know families want the best for their children, and we are committed to working in partnership with you to achieve this. 

Our Aim 

Our aim is to support all children to attend school regularly, arrive on time, and experience success. 

We want to build positive attendance habits, not through pressure or judgment, but through early help, practical support, and shared understanding. 

Regular attendance creates strong routines and gives children the very best chances for learning, wellbeing, and future achievement. 

Attendance 

We carefully monitor attendance so we can identify patterns and offer help early, before difficulties escalate. 

Historically, our school’s attendance has been below the national average. We are committed to changing this, because we know that regular attendance gives children the strongest foundations for learning, wellbeing, and future success. 

Our ambition is to reach 96% attendance, and we are working with families, staff, and external partners to make this a reality. This goal is not about statistics — it is about ensuring that every child receives the education, support, and opportunities they deserve. 

Please find below our whole school attendance data: 

	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
Whole School Attendance	93.5%	94.2%	93.1%
National Whole School Attendance	91.6%	93.1%	91.8%
% of pupils who are persistently absent	21.4%	16%	24.3%

We celebrate improvements as well as high attendance — because every step forward matters. 

Why Should Children Be in School? 

Children benefit from attending school every day because it helps them: 

Build strong foundations for learning 
Daily learning supports progress in reading, writing, phonics, and maths. 

Develop friendships and social confidence 
School is where children form friendships, learn to share, communicate, and work with others. 

Grow emotionally 
Structure and routine support confidence, resilience, and independence. 

Access wider opportunities 
Assemblies, enrichment clubs, extra support, ELSA sessions, wellbeing services, and interventions all take place during the school day. 

Achieve long-term success 
Consistent attendance supports academic achievement, wellbeing, and future life chances. 

Punctuality: Every Minute Counts 

Arriving on time helps children feel calm, settled, and ready to learn. 
Morning lessons include valuable activities such as phonics and guided reading. 

Gates open at 8:45am and close at 9:00am. 
If mornings are challenging, please speak to us — we can offer strategies and support to help. 

 

Attendance and the Law 

In the UK, parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly. 

Schools must follow government guidance, and in some cases attendance concerns may be referred to the Local Authority. 

However, at Newington Green, our approach begins with support, partnership, and early intervention. 

Holidays During Term Time 

Holidays during school term time cannot be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

We understand that travel costs can vary, but term-time holidays mean missed learning and may result in a penalty notice from the Local Authority. 

If you need to request leave, please speak to us as early as possible so we can discuss your circumstances. 

What if My Child Is Unwell? 

We recognise that children can become unwell. 
However, minor illnesses — such as mild colds, headaches, or tiredness — are not usually a reason to miss school. 

A useful guide is: 
If your child is up, playing, or watching TV, they are generally well enough to attend. 

If you are unsure, please contact us — we are happy to offer advice. 

Working Together to Support Attendance 

Improving attendance is a shared journey between home and school. We know that challenges can arise, and we are here to offer help — not judgment. 

We follow a clear support pathway, so families know what to expect and what help is available: 

At every stage, our priority is support. 
We may offer: 

• Attendance mentoring 
• ELSA sessions 
• Wellbeing support and pastoral check-ins 
• Early Help referrals 
• School Nurse guidance 
• School Wellbeing Service (SWS) support 
• Educational Psychotherapist and Family Group 
• Flexible or soft start arrangements 
• Routines and anxiety support 

Most attendance concerns improve at early stages with small changes and open communication. 
Referral to the Local Authority is only considered when supportive measures are not successful or engagement is not taking place. 

If you are finding attendance or punctuality difficult, please speak to us — we are here to help every step of the way. 

Together, we can build routines, remove barriers, and ensure your child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. 

Rewards at Newington Green 

We believe in celebrating attendance positively. 
We recognise: 

• Excellent attendance 
• Improved attendance 
• Good punctuality 

Rewards include: 

• Weekly class popcorn parties 
• Certificates and wristbands 
• Celebration assemblies 
• Attendance raffles and prizes 

We want children to feel proud of their efforts and achievements.