Welcome back everyone. I hope you have had a lovely Easter break.

High attendance at school is one of the most important factors in a young person’s success. It is not simply about being present or following rules; it is about ensuring learners have consistent access to high-quality teaching, structured routines, and the supportive relationships that enable them to thrive both academically and personally.

When learners attend school every day, they build knowledge step by step. Lessons are carefully sequenced, particularly at GCSE level, so that new learning builds directly on what has come before. If a learner misses even a single day, they risk missing key concepts that underpin future lessons. Over time, these gaps in knowledge can grow, making it harder to keep up, reducing confidence, and increasing the likelihood of disengagement. Quite simply, learning is cumulative, and absence interrupts that process.

The impact of attendance on GCSE outcomes is significant and well established. Learners with strong attendance are far more likely to achieve higher grades, as they benefit from continuous teaching, guided practice, and timely feedback. In contrast, those with lower attendance often struggle to reach their full potential because they have missed essential parts of the curriculum. These differences in attainment do not just affect exam results; they shape future pathways into sixth form, apprenticeships, university, and employment.

Attendance also has a long-term impact beyond school. Strong GCSE results open doors to further education and skilled career opportunities, which in turn are linked to higher lifetime earnings. Conversely, persistent absence can limit these opportunities, leading to fewer qualifications and reduced earning potential over time. In this way, every day in school is an investment in a young person’s future.

We are proud to celebrate learners who demonstrate commitment to their education. This term, those who achieve 98% attendance or above, alongside excellent behaviour, will be invited to attend our end-of-term celebration events. These rewards recognise sustained effort, positive choices, and a strong dedication to learning, and we hope as many learners as possible will earn the opportunity to take part.

Excellent attendance is a shared responsibility between home and school. By working together to prioritise being in school every day, we can ensure that every learner has the best possible chance to succeed both in their GCSEs and in the opportunities that follow.

Aman Singh Kang