At Howletch Lane Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential and create a successful future. Regular attendance plays an important part in this journey, helping children to build friendships, develop confidence, enjoy learning and make the most of every opportunity available to them.

Our vision, “Creating Futures Together,” means working in partnership with children, families and the wider community to ensure every child feels supported, valued and able to succeed. We recognise that children attend school well when they feel safe, understood and nurtured.

We understand that attendance can sometimes be affected by challenges such as anxiety, emotional wellbeing needs, medical needs or SEND. When this happens, our first priority is to listen, understand and work together to remove barriers. We believe that absence is often a sign that a child needs support rather than judgement.

Guided by our SHINE values, we are committed to helping every child develop the confidence, resilience and independence they need to become future-ready learners.

What Families Can Expect From Us

Our SHINE values shape the way we work with children and families:

Support – We will work alongside families, offering help, guidance and encouragement when attendance becomes difficult.

Honesty – We will communicate openly and respectfully, building trusting relationships where concerns can be shared and addressed together.

Independence – We will help children develop confidence, resilience and self-belief so they can attend and engage successfully in school life.

Nurturing – We will create a caring, inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued and understood, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Enjoyment – We want every child to enjoy coming to school, experience success and feel a genuine sense of belonging within our school community.

When attendance concerns arise, we will:

• Listen to children and families.
• Explore any barriers to attendance.
• Put support in place as early as possible.
• Follow a graduated approach of Assess, Plan, Do and Review.
• Make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively to identify solutions.
• Keep the child’s wellbeing at the centre of our decision-making.

Our Commitment

At Howletch Lane Primary School, we are committed to:

• Working in partnership with families to support attendance.
• Living our SHINE values every day.
• Listening carefully to children’s voices and experiences.
• Identifying barriers early and responding with understanding and care.
• Supporting children’s wellbeing, safety and inclusion.
• Making reasonable adjustments to meet individual needs.
• Using our best endeavours to ensure every child can access education successfully.
• Helping children develop the confidence, responsibility and resilience promoted through The Howletch Way.

We believe that “it’s the little things that create big futures.” By working together, we can help every child develop positive attendance habits, enjoy learning and build the foundations for a successful future.

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or wellbeing, please speak to us as early as possible. We are here to support, listen and work alongside you because creating positive futures is something we do together.

Supporting Children with Anxiety and Attendance Needs

At Howletch Lane Primary School, we understand that some children may need additional support to feel confident about coming to school. In line with our vision of Creating Futures Together, we are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive start to every child’s day.

To help children feel safe, settled and ready to learn, we offer:

• Soft Landing every morning, with a rolling entry between 8:40am and 8:50am, allowing children to arrive calmly and at a pace that suits their needs.
• Preparation for Learning Time in every classroom, giving children the opportunity to settle, connect with staff and prepare positively for the day ahead.
• Rise and Shine, available from 8:30am, offering a sports-based start to the day for children who benefit from physical activity and social interaction.
• Mellow Mornings, available from 8:30am, providing a calm and supportive environment for children who may find the start of the school day more challenging.
• Access to our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) provision for children requiring emotional support.
• Targeted nurture provision, helping children develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and positive relationships.

We believe that by providing the right support at the right time, we can help every child feel a sense of belonging, overcome barriers to attendance and develop the confidence to thrive both in school and beyond. After all, at Howletch Lane Primary School, it’s the little things that create big futures.

Attendance Guidelines & Information

• Leave of absence FAQ’s
• Sickness & Diarrhoea – Guidelines for Parents
• NHS – Is my child too ill for school?
• Attendance Policy
• Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) National Threshold Information
• Leave of Absence (LOA) FAQs

Leave of absence

Following local authority guidance, headteachers must not grant leave of absence during term time except in truly exceptional circumstances; requests for holidays or leisure will not normally meet this threshold.

Leave must be applied for in advance using the school’s Leave of Absence form, which can be obtained form the school office or via the website and returned at least two weeks before the proposed dates. Schools cannot authorise leave retrospectively. Please include information explaining why the request should be considered exceptional.

If the headteacher accepts exceptional circumstances, they will decide and confirm in writing how many school days may be authorised.

If a request is refused the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and may contribute towards the local authority’s threshold for a Fixed Penalty Notice under the council’s protocol.

Attendance – Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

Why is attendance important? 

Regular attendance helps children feel settled, build relationships, and make progress in their learning. However, we also recognise that good attendance is built on children feeling safe, supported and able to attend. When attendance is difficult, our focus is on understanding why and offering help. 

What if my child is struggling to attend school? 

If your child is finding it hard to come to school, please let us know as early as possible. Difficulties such as anxiety, emotional wellbeing needs, sensory needs or SEND can significantly affect attendance. In these situations, absence is often a sign that a child is struggling rather than choosing not to come. 

Will my child be punished for poor attendance? 

No. Our approach follows DfE and Supporting Families guidance, which makes clear that support should come before pressure or enforcement. We always aim to understand the reasons behind absence and put appropriate support in place. Formal attendance procedures are not a first response and are not appropriate where a child is overwhelmed or anxious. 

What support can the school offer? 

Support is tailored to individual need and may include: 

• Regular check ins with staff
• Adjustments to the school day or routines
• Emotional wellbeing support
• Sensory or environmental adjustments
• A gradual or flexible return to school where appropriate

We follow a graduated approach — assess, plan, do and review — and support does not require a medical diagnosis.

Do I need medical evidence if my child is anxious or distressed? 

Not usually. We understand that conditions such as anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), or autistic distress may not always be supported by medical notes. We value parental insight and professional discussions when considering support. 

What are “reasonable adjustments”? 

Reasonable adjustments are changes we make to reduce barriers for children with SEND or wellbeing needs. This could include changes to expectations, routines, environments or support arrangements. These adjustments help children access education fairly and confidently. 

What if my child cannot attend school despite support? 

Sometimes, even with the right support in place, a child may still be unable to attend for a period of time. In these cases, we continue to work closely with families and other professionals to ensure the child’s needs are recognised and supported appropriately. 

When would attendance enforcement be considered? 

Attendance enforcement is always a last resort. It is only considered when: 

• Barriers have been explored 
• Appropriate support has been offered 
• Attendance difficulties are not linked to unmet needs, anxiety, SEND or wellbeing 

Where absence is beyond a family’s control, enforcement is not appropriate. 

How can parents help? 

Parents can support by: 

• Communicating worries or changes early 
• Working with school staff to agree support strategies 
• Keeping in touch if circumstances change 

We value open communication and see attendance as a shared responsibility. 

Who should I speak to if I am worried? 

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or wellbeing, please contact the school as early as possible. We are here to support families and children, not to judge or blame.