At Rainford CE school, we ensure that all our pupils receive full-time education, which maximises opportunities for everybody to reach their full potential. We have for many years had a system of monitoring and rewarding attendance; however, we feel this needs updating due to the pandemic.

During COVID-19, our children missed many days in school, and we need to make sure they are all attending school on a full-time basis. We often find that children who have an attendance below 96% may have difficulty keeping up with lessons. Learning and lessons are sequenced, and even one day can affect long-term learning. Children who miss school can result in low confidence and/or create anxiety for the child, making school difficult to return to. Attendance is important. It is a life skill. Children from a very early age need to know that attending school/work is essential in getting by in life.

We celebrate and encourage good attendance in many ways:

• Weekly dance celebration in assembly for the class with the best attendance, plus an extra 5 minutes of playtime.
• Termly attendance reward letters are sent home.
• Certificates and rewards for children whose attendance improves.