In recent years a lot of research has been carried out on the importance of good attendance and the effect that poor attendance can have on children’s attainment and their future life chances. For example, 90% attendance might sound quite acceptable but what that means in reality is:

• on average half a day’s school missed every week
• in one year four whole weeks of schooling missed
• in five years half of a school year missed.
• a GCSE grade drop in attainment in each subject