Ysgol Afon Wen
Attendance
Attendance Matters at Ysgol Afon Wen
Every day matters. Every lesson counts.
Excellent school attendance is a priority for everyone at Ysgol Afon Wen.
We want every pupil to make the most of the teaching, learning and opportunities available to them. Being in school, on time and ready to learn gives pupils the best chance to achieve, develop positive relationships and enjoy school life.
What does good attendance look like?
- 96%+ – Good attendance
- Below 90% – Persistent absence
- 100% attendance – Every school day is an opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
Regular attendance is linked to:
Better progress • Stronger friendships • Improved wellbeing • Greater future opportunities
Working Together to Improve Attendance
We believe that education is a partnership between pupils, parents/carers and school.
We will do everything we can to support families and help pupils attend school regularly and on time. Parents and carers also have a legal responsibility to ensure their child receives an education and attends school regularly.
You can help by:
- Promoting positive attendance and talking positively about coming to school.
- Contacting school every day if your child is absent, giving a clear and appropriate reason for the absence.
- Making sure your child only misses school when it is genuinely necessary, such as significant illness or an essential medical appointment.
- Arranging routine appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
- Talking to us early if there are any concerns that could affect your child's wellbeing, punctuality or attendance.
- Helping your child arrive at school on time, ready to learn.
Reporting an Absence
Parents/carers must provide a reason whenever their child is absent from school.
Please give specific details about the reason for the absence. Simply stating “unwell” does not provide enough information for us to determine whether an absence can be authorised.
To report an absence, please:
☎ Call the school on 01443 841230
OR
📱 Report the absence using My Child At School app
Please contact us as soon as possible on the first day of absence and provide the reason for your child's absence.
Miss School, Miss Out!
Every day of absence adds up.
Even small amounts of missed school can have a significant impact over time.
| Attendance | What this means | Approx. school missed over 11 years |
|---|---|---|
| 97–100% | Excellent | Up to 11 sessions / 6 days |
| 95–96% | Good | Up to 19 sessions / 10 days |
| 90–94% | Unsatisfactory | Up to 40 sessions / 20 days |
| 86–89% | Poor | Up to 53 sessions / 27 days |
| Below 86% | Very Poor | More than 53 sessions / 27 days |
The long-term impact
During a child's 11 years of school:
🔴 80% attendance could mean missing approximately 3 years of education
🟠 85% attendance could mean missing approximately 2 years of education
🟡 90% attendance could mean missing approximately 1 year of education
That's why every day really does matter.
We're Here to Help
We understand that there can be times when attending school is difficult.
If your child is experiencing difficulties with attendance, punctuality, friendships, wellbeing, anxiety or anything else that may be affecting their ability to attend, please talk to us as early as possible.
Our aim is to work with families, not against them, to identify barriers and find the right support.
If you have concerns about your child's attendance, please contact us on 01443 841230.
Find Out More
Regular school attendance plays an important role in academic success, personal development, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Click the link below to find out more about why attendance matters and how you can support your child to attend school regularly.
MISS SCHOOL, MISS OUT!
Be here. Be ready. Make the most of every opportunity.