Attendance and Punctuality

At Westwood Park we value good attendance. 

Good attendance is essential for children to learn well, build confidence, and stay connected with friends and teachers. Missing school — even occasionally — makes it harder to keep up and can affect progress over time. When pupils attend regularly, they have the best chance to achieve, grow, and enjoy their education. Families and schools working together make a powerful difference to a child’s success.

Why Attendance Matters

Every school day counts. When children attend regularly, they:

Make steady progress in their learning
Build confidence and resilience
Maintain friendships and feel part of the school community
Develop strong routines that support long‑term success
Even small amounts of absence can add up and make it harder for children to keep up with their learning.

 
Our Expectations

We expect all pupils to:

Attend school every day they are well enough
Arrive on time, ready to learn
Take pride in their attendance and punctuality
We work closely with families to support good attendance and remove any barriers.

 
Punctuality Matters Too

Arriving late can be unsettling for children and disruptive for the class. Being just 10 minutes late each day adds up to over 30 hours of lost learning a year.

Please ensure your child arrives:

By the start of the school day
With enough time to settle and prepare for learning
If lateness becomes a pattern, we will contact you to offer support.

 
Reporting Absence
If your child is unwell:

Please contact the school as early as possible on the first day of absence
Keep us updated if the absence continues
Provide medical evidence for longer absences where appropriate
We are here to help if you’re unsure whether your child should attend.

 
Medical Appointments
Where possible, please book appointments:

Outside school hours, or
At the start or end of the day so your child misses as little learning as possible
Children should attend school before or after an appointment whenever they are able.

 
How We Support You
We work in partnership with families to:

Identify any difficulties affecting attendance
Offer early help and practical support
Celebrate improvements and positive habits
Good attendance is a shared responsibility — together, we can help your child thrive.

 
Working Together
Your support makes a huge difference. By ensuring your child attends school regularly and arrives on time, you are giving them the best possible chance to succeed, grow and enjoy their education.