Attendance and the School Day

At Wittersham Church of England Primary School, we believe that good attendance and punctuality are essential for every child to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. Establishing strong routines around arriving on time and attending regularly helps children make the most of every learning opportunity, build confidence and feel fully part of our school community.

Our School Day

• Gates open: 8.30am

• Registration begins: 8.45am (children must be in class by this time)

• School finishes: 3.15pm for all classes

We encourage families to arrive between 8.30 am and 8.40 am to allow children time to settle, chat with friends and prepare calmly for the day ahead. Being ready in class for 8.45 am ensures a smooth start and helps children feel organised and confident. Any child arriving after 8.45 am will be marked as late. Frequent lateness can quickly add up to lost learning time and may also affect a child’s sense of routine and belonging.

Why Attendance Matters

Every day in school makes a difference. Even short periods of absence can interrupt learning, reduce confidence and have an impact on progress across the curriculum. Regular attendance also supports the development of friendships, social skills and resilience.

We monitor attendance closely and work in partnership with families to support positive routines. Where challenges arise, we will always seek to understand circumstances and offer support so that every child is able to attend regularly and enjoy school life to the fullest. By attending every day and arriving on time, your child begins each school day ready to learn, play and thrive.

Children who attend well are more likely to:
• achieve stronger academic outcomes, particularly in reading, writing and maths
• feel settled and secure within their peer group
• develop confidence, independence and resilience
• build strong relationships with adults and classmates
• access all aspects of the curriculum, including enrichment activities

Working Together 

We understand that occasional illness is unavoidable. However, we encourage families to keep absences to a minimum and to contact the school office as early as possible if your child is unwell. If attendance begins to fall, we will work with you to identify support, remove barriers and improve routines. This may include check-ins with our school team, attendance plans or early help support where needed.