Every minute matters

At the Federation of North Walsham Infant and Junior Schools, we expect all students to attend school every day, unless they are genuinely unwell.

To reach their full potential, pupils must be motivated to learn and committed to attending school regularly. We also want our students to understand that it's okay to come to school even if they’re not feeling 100% – this helps build a strong work ethic, preparing them for success at secondary school and beyond.

Please read on to understand how regular absence – also known as persistent absence – can affect your child’s academic achievement and even their future earnings.

What is Persistent Absence?

A student is classed as a Persistent Absentee if their attendance falls to 90% or below. That’s the equivalent of missing one day every two weeks – or almost four whole weeks of learning across the school year.

According to the Department for Education (DfE):

“If over five academic years a pupil has attendance of 90%, they will have missed half a year of schooling. That’s a significant loss of education. Pupils who take unauthorised leave early in the academic year can be classed as persistently absent well into the summer term – even if they attend perfectly afterwards. Parents play a vital role in supporting attendance, so it’s important these changes to the persistent absence threshold are clearly communicated.”

How Does Persistent Absence Affect Your Child?

1. Academic Achievement

• Pupils with 95–100% attendance are 1.3 times more likely to achieve the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths at the end of Key Stage 2 compared to pupils with 90–95% attendance.
  ➤ Poor KS2 outcomes could result in being placed in lower sets at secondary school.
   
• By Year 11, students with excellent attendance are nearly twice as likely to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and Maths compared to those with lower attendance.
  ➤ Good attendance habits must be formed during primary school to support future academic success.

2. Future Earnings and Employment

• Students who are persistently absent during their school years are likely to earn around £10,000 less per year by the age of 28 compared to peers with strong attendance.
• They are also:
  • ‍2.7 times more likely to be claiming benefits at age 28‍
  • 60–75% less likely to be in sustained employment for 12 months after leaving education

In short: school attendance doesn't just affect your child now – it has long-lasting consequences.

🚫 Absence from School

Absence should only occur when your child is too ill to attend.

Family holidays, day trips, and, where possible, medical or dental appointments must be arranged outside of school hours.

📞 Reporting Absence or Lateness

If your child is going to be late or absent, you must call the school office before 8:00am to explain the reason.

Your support in ensuring your child attends school regularly is essential. Let’s work together to give them the very best start in life.