Attendance

Every minute matters

At One Degree Academy, we expect all students to attend school every day, unless they are genuinely unwell.

To reach their full potential, pupils must be motivated to learn and committed to attending school regularly. We also want our students to understand that it's okay to come to school even if they’re not feeling 100% – this helps build a strong work ethic, preparing them for success at secondary school and beyond.

Please read on to understand how regular absence – also known as persistent absence – can affect your child’s academic achievement and even their future earnings.

What is Persistent Absence?

A student is classed as a Persistent Absentee if their attendance falls to 90% or below. That’s the equivalent of missing one day every two weeks – or almost four whole weeks of learning across the school year.

According to the Department for Education (DfE):

“If over five academic years a pupil has attendance of 90%, they will have missed half a year of schooling. That’s a significant loss of education.

Pupils who take unauthorised leave early in the academic year can be classed as persistently absent well into the summer term – even if they attend perfectly afterwards.

Parents play a vital role in supporting attendance, so it’s important these changes to the persistent absence threshold are clearly communicated.”

Home Learning Expectations

EYFS (Nursery and Reception)

Time
Daily

Reading for 10 minutes daily

  • 3 mins: child reads to adult (Phonics book when sent home - read every night until the next one is sent as repetition is important)
  • 7 mins: free choice story book adult reads to child asking questions
Daily

Mathletics - 10 minutes daily (or 1,000 points weekly)

What
Weekly
Weekly

Tapestry

  • Watch weekly video & complete ‘Tapestry Challenge’
  • Upload own ‘wow’ moments from home

Boromi - sign up online

KS1 (Years 1 and 2)

Time
Daily

Reading for 15 minutes daily

  • 5 mins: child reads to adult (Phonics book when sent home - read every night until the next one is sent as repetition is important)
  • 10 mins: free choice story book read together
Daily

Mathletics - 10 minutes daily (or 1,000 points weekly)

What
Daily
Weekly

Knowledge Organisers - 3 minutes (mix the subjects over the week)

Spelling Task

Weekly

Watch Home Learning Video

KS2: Years 3, 4 & 5

Time
Daily

Reading - 20 minutes (can be independent, but better if children are reading aloud to help with unfamiliar words and understanding)

Daily

Mathletics - 10 minutes daily (or 1,000 points weekly)

What
Daily
Daily

TTRS - 5 mins (Garage & Sound Check)

Knowledge Organisers - 3 minutes (mix subjects over the week)

Weekly

Spelling Task

Weekly

Watch Home Learning Video

KS2: Year 6

Time
Daily

Reading for 20 minutes (should mostly be independent, but at least once a week should be encouraged to read to an adult or older sibling)

Daily

Sats Companion

  • complete weekly tasks set
  • Explore other tasks they find tricky (including Science tasks)
What
Daily
Daily

TTRS - 5 minutes daily (garage section)

Knowledge Organisers - 3 minutes (mix subjects over the week)

Weekly

Spelling Task

Weekly

Watch Home Learning Video

How Does Persistent Absence Affect Your Child?

1. Academic Achievement

  • Pupils with 95–100% attendance are 1.3 times more likely to achieve the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths at the end of Key Stage 2 compared to pupils with 90–95% attendance.
    ➤ Poor KS2 outcomes could result in being placed in lower sets at secondary school.

  • By Year 11, students with excellent attendance are nearly twice as likely to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and Maths compared to those with lower attendance.
    ➤ Good attendance habits must be formed during primary school to support future academic success.

2. Future Earnings and Employment

  • Students who are persistently absent during their school years are likely to earn around £10,000 less per year by the age of 28 compared to peers with strong attendance.
  • They are also:
    • 2.7 times more likely to be claiming benefits at age 28
    • 60–75% less likely to be in sustained employment for 12 months after leaving education

In short: school attendance doesn't just affect your child now – it has long-lasting consequences.

🚫 Absence from School

Absence should only occur when your child is too ill to attend.
Family holidays, day trips, and, where possible, medical or dental appointments must be arranged outside of school hours.

📞 Reporting Absence or Lateness

If your child is going to be late or absent, you must call the school office before 8:40am to explain the reason.

Your support in ensuring your child attends school regularly is essential. Let’s work together to give them the very best start in life.

Gary Collison
DSL
Jo Addleton
Deputy DSL
Kirsty Pacey
Deputy DSL