All schools are judged on the attendance levels they reach and though we traditionally do well in terms of low absence rates, it is always an area we work on and try and improve.
Our most up to date attendance levels see us at 94.2% against a live national average of 92.2% but as we expect this to be higher by the end of the year we want to flag up the importance of coming to school for qualifications, well-being and future life chances.
Our Summer 2022 exam results were the strongest in Staffordshire but attendance was a huge factor in who did well, and who did less well. In fact 71.4% of students made positive progress – based on how they did when they joined the school – and those that did less well tended to have lower levels of attendance
Those students who attended 95%+ averaged out 10 grades higher than expected. Those students between 90%-95% finished on average 5 grades higher than expected. Finally, those below 90% only scored on average 2½ grades.
Elsewhere, those students who are in school less find it harder to make and build relationships, are less successful at building a relationship with teachers and other staff, and often set a trait that blights them in later life as well.
Essentially, one of the best ways to do well at school is turn up every day – you cannot learn a subject if you are not in the lesson.
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said; “Of course, if you are too ill to come in then that is that, but too often there can be a mindset issue with the child and/or family where there is a greater readiness to lose a day here or there, or in extreme cases, even take a holiday. The reality is that every day missed adds up and leads to gaps that cannot easily be repaired. Exam grades are not everything, but they do help a lot, and we would urge all parents to get their child into school. The cost of not doing so can last a lifetime.”
