Attendance

School Attendance - We are Aiming High Together

At Birchfields, all children should aim for 100% attendance which means they come to school on time every day. 

When this happens they get the best possible education and miss no learning whatsoever. We want every Birchfields’ child to AIM HIGH TOGETHER with their attendance and try for 100%. 

If you have any questions about attendance, please speak to Mrs Hussain, our Attendance Officer, who is based in the school office.  

To report your child absent, please call the school on 0161 224 3892 before 9.00am on the day of the absence. 

Did you know… 

There are 190 days in a school year which leaves 175 days to spend on family time, shopping, holidays abroad, appointments and other things. 

Regular school attendance is an important part of giving your children the best possible start in life. Pupils who miss school frequently can fall behind with their work and do less well in exams. Below is a table showing how percentage attendance equates to the amount of school time missed.  

Did you know…. 

Every Parent and Carer is legally responsible to ensure their child attends school on time everyday. If your child does not attend regularly the Local Authority can take action against you. This can be through a Fixed Penalty Fine or a summons to appear at Magistrates Court. 

If children arrive late to school every day their learning begins to suffer.  Below is a graph showing how being late to school every day over a school year adds up to lost learning time.  

            5 minutes                        10 minutes                         15 minutes                      20 minutes                         30 minutes

How can you help your child achieve the best attendance possible? 

• Make sure your child attends school every day and on time    
• Make sure they have their uniform, packed lunch and school bag ready the night before  
• Have a bedtime routine so that they have a good night’s sleep  
• Allow plenty of time to get ready in the morning and have breakfast before leaving for school   
• Allow plenty of time to get to school - if you are late an adult must sign the children in at the office   
• Please do not keep your child off school if they have a minor ailment such as a cough, cold, temperature, runny nose or sneeze  
• Children should be kept home for 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhoea  
• If you child is unable to attend school, please ring the school office by 9am to give details of the absence 
  
• Please provide any medical evidence for absences due to illness of 3 days or more   
• If making a routine appointment for the dentist/doctor, please make it: out of school hours (where possible), during school holidays or after registration time in either the morning or afternoon sessions - your child does not need to be out all day for an appointment   
• If you, the Parent or Carer, have an appointment, please do not ask if you can collect your child early.  Please try to arrange collection by another suitable adult  
• Talk to school - we are here to help.  If you are having any difficulties that are affecting your child’s attendance at school, please come and talk to us as soon as possible so we can help you   
• Take your family holidays in school holiday time.  Missing valuable learning time can have a big impact on your child’s education 
     

Please contact our Attendance Officer, Mrs Hussain, on 0161 224 3892 if you need any further information, advice or support on your child's attendance.