Our school hours are 08.45 am to 3.15 pm Monday to Friday. 32.5 hours per week. We ask that children are at school in good time so that they can be at their desks at 08.45 am. Gates to the main yard will open each day at 08.35 am.

 

Our whole school approach to attendance and punctuality

At Prudhoe Castle First School, we have the highest aspirations for your child: we know that the world is run by those who turn up, and that every lesson counts towards your child’s achievement. We also know that you, as your child’s parent/carer, want your child to get on well in life. Children only get one chance at school, and your child’s chances of a successful future may be affected by not attending school every day on time. When children do not attend or are late, they:

• struggle to keep up with school work
• miss out on the social side of school life – especially at primary school. Poor attendance can affect children’s ability to make and keep friendships, a vital part of growing up.

Is there a proven link between attendance and children’s achievement in school?

Yes. There is a clear link between poor attendance at school and lower academic achievement. In primary schools, less than 65% of children get good results in Maths and English in schools when they have an average of 15 days absence, compared to around 90% in schools where the average is less than 8 days. Many parents are surprised how quickly their children accumulate 15 days absence – we will send you a half termly letter if we have concerns regarding your child’s attendance.

Of the children who miss more than 50 per cent of school, only 3% manage to achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C. 73% of children who have over 95% attendance achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C. While GCSEs may seem some time away, setting good attendance and punctuality patterns from an early age, from Reception through to Year 4, will really help.

 

What can you do to help?

Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day.

Take an interest in what is happening for your child in school. Ask them about their day and praise and encourage their achievements at school.

If you think you might need to take your child out of school, discuss the reasons with the school as early as possible. Reasons such as family bereavement would be acceptable for short absences. Unacceptable reasons for missing school include shopping and birthdays.

If your child is ill or absent for any other reason, contact the school on the first day of absence on 01661 833122.

Follow the school’s procedures for notifying absence, and always let the school know of any days that your child is unable to attend.

If you suspect that your child may be missing school or is unhappy at school, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can work with you to resolve any difficulties.

Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of them missing school and be on the alert for any particular reasons for non-attendance, such as friendship issues or problems with school work, please discuss these with us as early as possible.

Please see our attendance policy for more details.

Application for leave of absence for a child

Previous year’s attendance figures

September 2020 – July 2021

Reception – 90.82

KS1 – 93.80

KS2 – 96.55