Wednesday 10th September 2025
Dear Parent / Annwyl Rhiant,
Attendance Matters
We are committed to promoting high rates of attendance, attainment and the well-being of our children at Gaer Primary School. We value ‘being in school every day’ and the positive impact this has on children, helping them to enjoy their learning and supporting their wellbeing.
This week, during an assembly, we will be reminding the children of our ‘attendance incentives and rewards’ to encourage children to be in school ‘for every single session possible’.
In the past, the children have responded brilliantly to these incentives and rewards. I am sure that they will be excited to see them continued this year.
Please see below for your information.
The Incentive/Reward System:
Each child with 100% attendance for a week go into a draw. At the end of the half term 5 names are drawn (each ticket winner receives a £10 voucher). The more ‘weeks of 100% attendance’, the more tickets can be achieved and therefore there is an increased chance of winning.
At the end of each full term, children with 100% attendance for that term, receive a certificate and the chance to win the digital device (therefore three chances each year; one for each of the terms)
The class with the best attendance in each phase, each week wins the ‘Attendance Cup’ and a class reward.
The class in each phase, with the best monthly attendance, receives a class treat.
Our other supportive mechanisms:
We monitor attendance daily. A series of graded letters are issued, in consultation with the Education Welfare Officer, to inform families when attendance levels might present as a concern:
- If your child’s attendance falls below 95% you will receive a letter (Letter 1) to inform you that attendance is below minimum expectations and needs to improve.
- If your child’s attendance falls below 90% they are considered as ‘persistently absent’ and therefore a cause for concern. You will receive a letter (Letter 2) to inform you that your child’s attendance must improve to avoid further action.
- If your child’s attendance does not improve you will receive a further letter (Letter 3) inviting you to a meeting in school. There will be an expectation that your child’s attendance improves.
- If your child’s attendance does not improve following the meeting you will be referred to the Education Welfare Service (EWS).
- If meetings are not attended, you will automatically be referred to the Education Welfare Service.
The information below helps to highlight the significant impact that missing school can have on a child’s education:
A child who misses just one day a week over each year, will lose 20% of their time in school, or the equivalent of a whole year for every 5 years in school.
We aim for 100% attendance. Attendance of 95% means that your child misses 2 whole weeks of school. Attendance of 92% means that your child misses 3 whole weeks of school.
Fixed Penalty Notices
This year again we will be issuing Fixed Penalty Notices.
A Fixed Penalty Notice is an early deterrent intended to prevent more extended periods of unauthorised absence developing and incur a fine of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 28 days of the notice being served. Failure to pay a penalty notice will result in prosecution under the Education Act 1996.
We very much appreciate your support in ensuring that your child attends school for every session possible.
Fixed Penalty Notices may be considered appropriate when:
- At least 10 sessions (5 school days) are lost due to unauthorised absence during the current term. These do not need to be consecutive;
- Unauthorised absences of at least 20 sessions (10 consecutive school days) due to holidays in term time or delayed return from extended holidays; or
- Persistent late arrival at school, i.e. after the register has closed, in the current term. “Persistent” means at least 10 sessions of late arrival.
Authorising Medical Absences
If your child is persistently absent due to medical reasons, we will only be able to authorise these absences with medical evidence. You will receive a letter to notify you of this arrangement.
Punctuality/Lateness
Children who are persistently late on arrival at school are very much disadvantaged in both their wellbeing and learning. Being late for school makes children anxious; it also means that they miss vital parts of the daily learning. It is difficult to ‘catch up’ on this missed learning and inevitably children perform less well than their peers. Please make sure that your child arrives at school on time. The Education Welfare Officer is monitoring ‘lateness’ very closely this year.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Mr A Smith
Headteacher/ Prifathro