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Attendance and Absence

Attendance 

Attendance

Every Day Counts

At Lunsford Primary School, we have high expectations for every child's attendance and punctuality. We expect all pupils to attend school every day and arrive on time unless they are unwell.

Regular attendance is essential to a child's academic achievement, wellbeing, and overall school experience. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve their full potential, develop positive relationships, and benefit from the wide range of opportunities available to them.

As a school, we are committed to promoting excellent attendance and celebrating success. We actively encourage 100% attendance and recognise pupils' commitment through a variety of weekly, termly and annual rewards.

We recognise the vital role that parents and carers play in ensuring good attendance and understand that there may occasionally be challenges that affect a child's ability to attend school. Where concerns arise, we will work in partnership with families and, where appropriate, external agencies to provide support and improve attendance.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

The Department for Education is clear that children should not be taken out of school during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Requests for leave of absence must be made in advance and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Please refer to our Attendance Policy for full details.

Why Attendance Matters

Even a small amount of absence can have a significant impact on a child's learning and progress.

Good attendance helps children to:

  • Achieve their full academic potential
  • Develop confidence and resilience
  • Build positive friendships and relationships
  • Establish good routines and habits
  • Feel fully included in school life

Please refer to our Attendance and Punctuality Factsheet to see the impact attendance can have on attainment and educational outcomes.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is unable to attend school for any reason, you must inform the school as soon as possible.

Please telephone the school on:

01732 843352 (Option 1)

The absence line is available 24 hours a day.

Parents and carers are also asked to send a brief note or email when their child returns to school.

Schools are required to account for every half-day absence, so it is important that all absences are reported promptly.

Illness and Returning to School

To help prevent the spread of infection, please follow the guidance below:

Vomiting

Children must remain at home until 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting

Children must remain at home until 48 hours after their last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

This helps ensure that any illness has fully cleared before children return to school.

Medical and Dental Appointments

Where possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours.

If your child needs to attend an appointment during the school day:

  • Please notify the school office in writing at least 24 hours in advance
  • Provide a copy of the appointment letter, text message or other evidence where possible
  • Inform the office if your child will be returning to school later that day

If your child will miss morning registration and requires a school meal, please ensure the office is informed in advance so that a lunch can be ordered.

Where children leave and return during the school day, a pupil pass will be provided.

First Day Calling

To safeguard all pupils, Lunsford Primary School operates a First Day Calling procedure.

If a child is absent and we have not received notification from a parent or carer, we will contact you to establish the reason for the absence.

If we are unable to make contact and no reason has been provided, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Useful Information and Documents

Please refer to the following documents for further information:

  • Attendance Policy
  • Attendance and Punctuality Factsheet
  • Application for Leave of Absence Form
  • Department for Education: Working Together to Improve School Attendance
  • Department for Education: Summary of Responsibilities for School Attendance
  • School Attendance and Absence Information (GOV.UK)
  • Important Changes to Penalty Notice Regulations
  • New Rules for School Attendance

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's attendance, please contact the school office. We are always happy to work with families to ensure every child has the best possible opportunity to succeed.

 
 
  •  
Weekly Attendance Class Winners 2025 - 2026

SUMMER TERM 2026 (classes with 96.5% and above) -

Week ending 01/06/2026 -

Elephant class 100%  *  Giraffe Class 98.57%

Week ending 21/05/2026 -

Panda Class 98.41%

Week ending 15/05/2026 -

Panda Clas 97.41%  *  Zebra Class 100%

Week ending 08/05/2026 -

Zebra Class 99.57%

Week ending 01/05/2026 -

Lion Class 97.67%  *  Koala Class 98.4%  *  Tiger Class 97.14%

Week ending 24/04/2026 -

Elephant Class 98.67%  *  Lion Class 96.67%

 

SPRING TERM 2026 (classes with 96.5% and above) -

Week ending 02/04/2026 -

Lion Class 98.75%  *  Zebra Class 100%

Week ending - 27/03/2026 -

Panda Class 98.77%  *  Elephant Class 96.67%  *  Giraffe Class 97.18%  *  Lion Class 98.33%  *  Koala Class 97.2%  *  Zebra Class 97.93%

Week ending - 20/03/2026 -

Tiger Class 96.9%  *  Zebra Class 97.93%

Week ending - 13/03/2026 -

Lion Class 99%  *  Tiger Class 98.28%  *  Zebra Class 98.62%

Week ending - 06/03/2026 -

Elephant Class 98.33%  *  Lion Class 97.00%  *  Zebra Class 99.31%

Week ending - 27/02/2026 -

Elephant Class 96.79%  *  Lion Class 97.98%  *  Zebra Class 98.52%

Week ending - 13/02/2026 -

Lion Class 97.00%  *  Zebra Class 96.55%

Week ending 06/02/2026 -

Elephant Class 97.33%

Week ending 30/01/2026 -

Elephant Class 98.33%  *  Zebra Class 98.39%

Week ending 23/01/2026 -

No classes achieved.

Week ending 16/01/2026 -

Panda Class 98.26%  *  Elephant Class 96.67%

Week ending 09/01/2026 -

Zebra Class 97.42%

 

AUTUMN TERM 2025 (classes with 96.5% and above) -

Week ending 19/12/2025 -

No classes achieved.

Week ending 12/12/2025 -

Lion Class 96.67%   *   Tiger Class 96.67%

Week ending 05/12/2025 -

Giraffe Class 96.55%

Week ending 28/11/2025 -

Giraffe Class 97.59%   *   Lion Class 97.67%   *   Zebra Class 98.39%

Week ending 21/11/2025 -

Panda Class 98.25%

Week ending 14/11/2025 -
Panda Class  99.56%   *   Lion  Class 98.00%   *   Zebra Class  98.06%

Week ending 07/11/2025 -
Panda Class  98.7%   *   Elephant Class  98.00%   *   Lion Class  97.67%   *   Tiger Class  97.67%   *   

Zebra Class  97.74%

Week ending 31/10/2025 -

Panda Class  98.68%   *   Elephant Class  96.67%

Week ending 17/10/2025 -

No classes achieved.

Week ending 10/10/2025 -

No classes achieved.

Week ending 03/10/2025 -

Elephant Class  98%   *   Lion Class  99.7%   

Week ending 26/09/2025 -

Panda Class  96.88%   *   Tiger Class  97%   *   Zebra Class  98.33%

Week ending 19/09/2025 -

Panda Class  99.57%   *   Elephant Class  97.33%   *   Giraffe Class  97.57%   *   Zebra Class  98%

Week ending 12/09/2025 -

Panda Class  100%   *   Elephant Class  99.67%   *   Lion Class  98.67%   *   

Tiger Class  96.98%   *   Zebra Class  99.67%

Week ending 05/09/2025 -

Panda Class  97.78%   *   Elephant Class  99.17%   *   Lion Class  99.58%   *   Zebra Class  98.75%

 

 

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