Dear Parents and Carers
Happy New Year!
It has been great to welcome everyone back to school at the start of a New Year. The excitement of Christmas has passed and that brings a more settled feel to school with children refreshed and thriving on getting back to their routines and enjoying their learning.
One of the results of having three terms in a school year is that we miss out a 'Winter Term' going straight from the autumn term into what we now call the Spring Term. There is certainly nothing very spring-like in the weather we have had this week! Maybe schools need to rethink their terminology this year!
Despite the wintery feel, the attendance levels have started off brilliantly with 100% attendance across the whole school, including all children and adults, for the first two days of the week. We have also handed out 100% certificates to children for the second half of the autumn term this week. Each half term is a fresh start for these, so any children who didn't get one this time can get one for this half term if they are in school every day on time. From the excellent start we have had, we might need to start printing some more certificates!
Good attendance of over 95% is so important in helping children make the progress they need to in their learning without leaving gaps that are so difficult to plug. Thank you for your support in this.
Most children love coming to school and are happy to come in each morning. Of course, not all of us skip joyfully into school or work on a Monday morning, and some find it hard. There can be lots of reasons behind this, from anxieties and worries about friendships, school work, separation from parents, minor ailments like coughs and colds etc. With the vast majority of these children who find it hard, once they are in school with their friends, the anxiety melts away, and they settle very quickly.
We spend time in school talking to children we are aware of who struggle and will often meet with parents to support with strategies. It can be a long hard battle for some, but all the research shows that children's mental health, wellbeing and learning outcomes improve when they are in school regularly and that giving in and keeping them at home only makes things worse in the long term.
You will have seen our HERO campaign. Part of this is the Helpful Heroes, which has lots of techniques and strategies that children can use to cope with their anxieties in general, but also about coming to school. Today we are sending every child home with a fun booklet that children can use. There are sections to draw, write, colour or add stickers. It is fun and engaging for all ages. Adults and older children might find some of the techniques and information useful and even the youngest children will find something they can do with a bit of help from parents. Hopefully, it will at least help to start conversations with children and might help them understand what is happening to them.
If you ever need any help or support with any aspect of school attendance, please do get in touch and we will endeavour to help.
