School Attendance
“Good attendance gives every child the best chance to succeed.”
Last Week's Attendance
This graph shares each class’ attendance for last week, let’s continue to strive for our school target of 92%.
Why Attendance Matters
Regular attendance matters because every day in school helps pupils keep up with their learning, make progress and build friendships – developing the habits and skills needed for lifelong learning and future success.
All children have the right to an education and research shows that being in school regularly also:
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Helps children keep up with lessons and build strong foundations in learning
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Supports steady progress and confidence
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Allows children to develop friendships and social skills through daily interaction
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Builds positive routines and good habits from an early age
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Reduces gaps in learning that can be difficult to catch up on
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Supports children’s wellbeing, sense of belonging and enjoyment of school
Working Together to Support Good Attendance
We know that good attendance plays a vital role in helping children feel settled, confident and ready to learn. At Glan Usk Primary School, we work closely in partnership with families to support pupils to attend regularly, arrive on time and get the most from each school day.
Our whole-school attendance target is 92%. While we understand that children may occasionally be unwell or face challenges, being in school as often as possible makes a real difference to learning, friendships and wellbeing. Every day counts.
Being on time is just as important. The school day begins at:
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8:55am for Reception to Year 2
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8:50am for Year 3 to Year 6
Arriving promptly helps children settle into their day, feel calm and ready to learn, and ensures they do not miss valuable learning time.
We take a supportive approach to attendance. Our school follows a cluster-agreed Graduated Attendance Response, which means that attendance is monitored carefully and support is offered at the earliest opportunity. This graduated approach allows concerns to be addressed in a timely way, with the aim of working positively with families to improve attendance.
If you are experiencing difficulties that are affecting your child’s attendance or punctuality, we encourage you to contact the school as early as possible. Our Pupil and Family Support Officers are available to talk, offer advice and work alongside families to identify practical solutions. Parents and carers are welcome to call the school or visit the office for an informal chat.
Attendance is celebrated and valued across the school. We recognise pupils and classes who show strong attendance through celebration assemblies, and classes with the highest attendance are shared each week in our school newsletter. We believe in celebrating effort, progress and commitment to being Here, Every day, Ready to learn and On time.
Further information about expectations, support and procedures can be found in the Cluster Attendance Policy, available here.
By working together, we can help ensure every child feels supported, included and ready to succeed.
The Learning-Ready Leaders are a pupil leadership group within our school Senedd. Their role is to promote positive attendance, punctuality and attitudes to learning across the school.
Learning-Ready Leaders support the school by:
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Promoting HERO behaviours
Here,
Everyday,
Ready to learn &
On time -
Sharing key attendance and learning messages with pupils in classes and assemblies
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Helping to celebrate and reward good attendance and punctuality
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Acting as ambassadors for pupils’ rights and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard
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Encouraging positive metacognitive behaviours through our GUPS Heroes – Resilient Rhys, Motivational Mali, Emlyn Effort, Achievement Ali, Independent Indie & Collaborative Carys.
By modelling strong learning behaviours and positive attitudes, Learning-Ready Leaders help create a welcoming and inclusive school culture where pupils are supported to attend regularly and be ready to learn every day.
How can I report an absence?
If your child is too unwell to come to school, please phone the school office on 01633 259445. You can also leave a message on our absence line, sharing the name of your child, their class and the reason for their absence.
What happens if my child's attendance becomes a concern?
The school monitors attendance throughout the year and will update parents and carers of their child’s attendance regularly. If concerns around attendance arise, the school will contact home in writing to inform families and offer an opportunity to discuss the situation and explore ways to support improved attendance.
The Local Authority supports schools in addressing attendance matters, particularly where there are ongoing or unauthorised absences. An Education Welfare Officer regularly reviews attendance information and may identify children who require further follow-up support.
Parents or carers may be contacted by the Education Welfare Service to discuss attendance concerns. Where absences continue without a valid explanation and attendance does not improve, further action may be taken by the Education Welfare Service.
Are family holidays permitted during term time?
As a general rule, family holidays should be arranged during school holiday periods. The school is unable to authorise holidays taken in term time, except in rare and exceptional circumstances.
Where an exceptional circumstance is being considered, parents must provide appropriate evidence. In these cases, a maximum of five school days may be authorised, and only where the child has maintained a high level of attendance over the previous 12 months.
Parents and carers who wish to request any planned absence during term time must complete a request form and return it to the school office. Forms can be collected from the office.
Can my child be absent from school to attend an educational, sporting or performance activity or event?
If a pupil is invited to take part in an educational activity that takes place during the school day – such as a sporting competition, music assessment, performance, or similar event – parents and carers must notify the school in advance.
Requests should be made in writing or sent via email and include full details of the activity, along with supporting evidence from the organising body. Each request will be carefully considered.
The headteacher will decide whether the absence can be authorised, taking into account the nature of the activity and the child’s attendance record to date.