Southfields Primary School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all of its pupils/students and recognises that this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all.  This is based upon the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.  High attainment depends on good attendance.

Everyone – including pupils/students, parents and carers, all school staff, school governors, Local Authority, external agencies – have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and have important roles to play.  We are committed to working in partnership with families and other agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children via the early help pathways available.

We believe that ours is a successful, welcoming school which you and your child/children plays their part in making it so. We aim for an environment which enables and encourages all members of our school community to achieve excellence. For children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly, and your child should be at school, on time, every day on which the school is open (Isle of Wight V Platt) unless the reason for the absence is exceptional.

All staff (teaching and support) at our school have a key role to play in supporting and promoting excellent school attendance and will work to provide an environment in which all our pupils/students are eager to learn, feel valued members of the school community and look forward to coming to school every day.  Staff also have a responsibility to set a good example in matters relating to their own attendance and punctuality.

Regular attendance is so important as it gives your child the best opportunity to learn. Any absences will affect the pattern of your child’s schooling and consistent absences may seriously affect learning.  Any child’s absence disrupts teaching routines, not only for your child but for others in the same class.

The school liaises closely with our Local Authority and other agencies using an Early Help pathway (Early Help Referral) which assists in the assessment of need in order for appropriate support to be given.  This initial pathway enables further referrals to external agencies to be made, and further support acquired to support families to remove any barriers that are preventing regular attendance.

Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without a good reason is an offence in law and may result in prosecution.

School Attendance Target for 2023-24 is 96% 

Autumn 1 - Current attendance is 96.5% and the National data is 95.3% (at this point) 

We monitor attendance carefully and this includes core group of learners such as Gender, SEN, PP, Vulnerable, EAL as well as persistent and severe absenteeism to support pupils in these groups to improve through a carefully planned approach. 

Our Attendance leaders are Mrs Martin (Headteacher) and Mrs Dale (Attendance Lead for the school). They are supported by the EHA and Inclusion team to support families who need additional support.