Hambrough Primary and Nursery School

Intent

At Hambrough Primary School, our intent is to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly and punctually, so they can fully access the curriculum, achieve well, and develop positive habits for later life. We are committed to promoting a culture where excellent attendance is the norm, while recognising that some pupils and families require timely, targeted support to overcome barriers to regular school attendance.

We aim to:

• ensure all pupils attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell
• reduce persistent and severe absence, particularly for vulnerable groups
• work positively in partnership with families, external agencies and the local authority
• ensure attendance procedures are fair, consistent and in line with DfE statutory guidance

Implementation

Attendance is prioritised and monitored rigorously across the school.

Systems and Monitoring

• Daily attendance is recorded accurately and monitored using the school’s MIS and Monitor Your School Attendance data.
• Registers are completed promptly, with close monitoring of late arrivals.
• Attendance data is analysed weekly by senior leaders to identify trends, patterns and pupils requiring additional support.

Early Intervention and Support

• First‑day absence procedures are followed for unexplained absences.
• Parents and carers are contacted promptly where concerns arise.
• Where attendance falls below expected levels, parents are invited to attend meetings with senior leaders and attendance or punctuality plans are put in place.
• Support is tailored to individual circumstances and may include:
  • phased or monitored return plans
  • referrals to pastoral support
  • liaison with external agencies
  • use of breakfast club and after‑school provision

Accountability and Consistency

• Attendance expectations are communicated clearly to parents through the website, policy and regular communication.
• Persistent absence and punctuality concerns are escalated appropriately in line with the School Attendance Policy.
• Fixed procedures are in place for late collection at the end of the school day, with support provided initially and charges applied where lateness becomes persistent.
• Attendance is discussed regularly in safeguarding meetings and contributes to wider pastoral decision‑making.

Impact

As a result of these approaches:

• Overall attendance is consistently in line with, or above, national averages.
• Persistent absence has reduced year‑on‑year and is now in line with national levels.
• Attendance for key groups, including pupils eligible for free school meals and those with SEN, remains above national averages, demonstrating the impact of targeted support.
• Pupils start the school day settled and ready to learn, reducing lost learning time.
• Families demonstrate increased awareness of attendance expectations and engage positively with the school’s support systems.
• Attendance information is used effectively alongside attainment data to ensure pupils are not disadvantaged academically due to poor attendance.

Overall, attendance at Hambrough Primary School supports pupils’ academic achievement, wellbeing and personal development, ensuring they are well‑prepared for the next stage of education.

The School Attendance Policy can be accessed from the "Statutory Policies" page 

All relevant Attendance related forms can be accessed as below: