Recent research from the Department for Education (March 2025) highlights a crucial link between school attendance and academic achievement. The findings confirm that regular attendance is essential for primary school children to succeed and develop key life skills.

 

Why Attendance Matters

✅ Higher Achievement – Pupils who attend school regularly perform better academically, particularly in subjects like English and Maths.
✅ Social & Cognitive Development – Attending school every day helps children build friendships, develop social skills, and grow in confidence.
✅ Long-Term Benefits – Good attendance lays the foundation for future success in education and career opportunities.

 

The Impact of Poor Attendance

Unfortunately, missing school can have a significant negative effect on a child's education and overall well-being:
🚨 Lower Achievement – Children with high absence rates often struggle with tests, fall behind their peers, and find it harder to catch up.
🚨 Social & Emotional Struggles – Absence can lead to feelings of isolation, lower self-esteem, and difficulty forming friendships.
🚨 Future Challenges – Poor attendance can affect long-term prospects, including access to higher education and career opportunities.

 

Our Commitment to Supporting Families

At Burnside Primary, we believe that every child deserves the best start in life, and attendance plays a key role in this. Here’s how we support our families:
✔️ Encouraging 100% Attendance – Our goal is at least 97% attendance, ensuring all pupils make the most of their education.
✔️ Family Support – We work closely with parents to understand and remove any barriers to attendance, offering help from local authority teams, early support services, and SEND support where needed.
✔️ Monitoring & Communication – We track attendance regularly and will stay in touch with families to address any concerns promptly.

 

How You Can Help

🏫 Promote Good Attendance – Encourage your child to attend school every day and arrive on time. Explain why education is important for their future.
📚 Support Learning at Home – Foster a positive attitude towards learning by helping with homework and engaging in educational activities.
📞 Stay in Touch – If you have any concerns about your child's attendance, please speak to us so we can work together to find a solution.

 

By making school attendance a priority, you are giving your child the best possible chance to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

 

Let’s work together to give every child at Burnside Primary the brightest future! 🌟