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At Burhill Primary School, we believe that every day in school matters. Regular attendance plays a vital role in children's learning, wellbeing, friendships and sense of belonging. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve their full potential, feel connected to their school community and develop the confidence and skills they need for future success.

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels welcomed, valued and ready to learn. We know that strong attendance is built through positive relationships, and we work closely with families to ensure every child can benefit from the rich opportunities and experiences school life provides.

Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly and arrives on time each day. We expect all children to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell or there are exceptional circumstances that prevent attendance. Holidays should not be taken during term time, as leave of absence can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

If your child is unable to attend school, parents and carers must notify the school as soon as possible on the first day of absence, providing the reason for the absence. If an absence continues, families may be asked to keep the school updated. Maintaining open communication helps us ensure that children are safe, supported and able to return to learning as quickly as possible.

Our approach to attendance is both supportive and ambitious. We carefully monitor attendance and punctuality, celebrate positive attendance and identify concerns at an early stage. Where difficulties arise, we work in partnership with families to understand the reasons behind them and provide appropriate support. This may include pastoral support, wellbeing assistance, Early Help services, attendance meetings or tailored plans to help children successfully engage with school.

We understand that there can be times when children or families face challenges that affect attendance. In these circumstances, we encourage parents and carers to speak with us as early as possible so that we can work together to identify solutions and access the right support.

At Burhill, attendance is everyone's responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that every child enjoys a positive school experience, develops a lifelong love of learning and has the best possible opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

For full details of our attendance procedures, including absence reporting, medical appointments, leave of absence requests and the support available to families, please refer to our Attendance Policy.