Attendance & Punctuality
We’re in this together
At Belmore, every child’s journey is unique, and we work in partnership with families to support each child’s growth and success. Being in school every day, on time, helps children enjoy bold learning, big experiences and the friendships that make school special. We aim for every child to attend at least 95% of the time.
We know family life isn’t always simple. Illness, worries, busy mornings and difficult times happen to all of us. If something is making it hard for your child to get to school, please talk to us. We’ll never judge, and we’ll always try to help.
Why every day matters
Small amounts of missed time add up quickly. Here’s how they add up:
|
If your child misses... |
That equals... |
Which is... |
And over 13 years |
| 1 day per fortnight | 20 days per year | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1.5 years |
| 1 day per week | 40 days per year | 8 weeks per year | Over 2.5 years |
| 2 days per week | 80 days per year | 16 weeks per year | Over 5 years |
| 3 days per week | 120 days per year | 24 weeks per year | Nearly 8 years |
Keeping you informed
Every family receives a half-termly attendance report, so you can easily see your child’s attendance and how it’s going. It’s a helpful way to spot patterns early and celebrate improvements. If you have any questions about your report, or would like some support, please talk to us. We’re always happy to help.
Making mornings easier
- Our free Breakfast Club runs every day from 7:45am to 8:15am and can be booked through Pembee. It’s a calm, settled start to the day and can take the pressure off busy mornings.
- School starts at 8.35am and the gates close at 8.50am. If you’re running late, please still come in. Just sign in at the school office, and we’re always glad to see you.
- If you or a younger sibling is unwell, it can help to arrange a “drop-off buddy” with a friend or neighbour in advance, so your child can still get to school. If that doesn't work for you, please give school a ring and we'll do everyhting we can to help.
If your child is unwell
Please let us know by 9.20am on the first day. You can call 01895 462 364 (option 1 for the absence line) or email enquiries@belmore.school. Our attendance team may give you a call back to check in and see how your child is.
Is my child too ill for school?
It can be hard to know whether to send your child in. This NHS guide is a helpful place to start:
If your child has a temperature of 38°C or more, keep them at home until it goes away. They can usually come to school with a mild cough or cold if they’re otherwise well. For more advice, visit NHS.uk and search “Is my child too ill for school?”
A few gentle reminders:
- If you’re unsure, it’s fine to send your child in. We’ll look after them and call you if they need to go home. Sending them home doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision.
- Coming in late or for the afternoon is better than missing the whole day.
- If your child has broken a bone, has an ongoing medical need or needs medicine in school, please speak to our Welfare Officer so we can put the right support in place.
If your child is feeling worried about school
Sometimes children don’t want to come to school because they’re feeling anxious. This might show up as a tummy ache, a headache or trouble sleeping. Keeping them at home can sometimes make these worries grow, so please speak to us as early as possible. We offer caring support such as Talk & Draw, Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA) and small social groups, and we’ll work with you to find what helps your child. If your child has special educational needs, our SENDCo Mr Cotter is also here to help.
Holidays during term time
We know family time is precious, and we’ve planned our Term Dates so you can book breaks in advance. Holidays aren’t permitted during term time, and Hillingdon council may issue a fine. If something exceptional comes up, please contact the Head Teacher to arrange a meeting so we can talk it through together.
When we’re concerned
We keep a close eye on every child’s attendance. That isn’t about catching anyone out. It’s so we can notice early if something isn’t right and offer help before small worries become bigger ones. Most attendance difficulties have a reason behind them, and our first step is always to understand it.
If your child’s attendance or punctuality starts to slip, this is what you can expect:
- A friendly conversation. Your child’s teacher or our attendance team will get in touch for a chat. We’ll ask how things are and whether anything is making school harder at the moment, such as health, worries, friendships, changes at home or the morning routine.
- Working out a plan together. If things don’t improve, we’ll invite you in for a meeting. We’ll listen, share what we’re seeing in school and agree some simple steps together. That might mean a Breakfast Club place, a quiet, settled start to the day, check-ins with a trusted adult, emotional support sessions, or help from our SENDCo or Welfare Officer.
- Checking in on progress. We’ll keep in touch and meet again to see how things are going, celebrate improvements and adjust the plan if needed. Every step forward counts.
A child is considered “persistently absent” if they miss 10% or more of school, which is about one day every two weeks. At this level, children can start to fall behind and feel less connected to their friends and learning, so we’ll work with you closely to turn things around.
We know these conversations can feel worrying. Please know we’re on the same side: we all want your child to be happy, settled and thriving at school. The sooner you talk to us, the more we can help.
Talk to us anytime
Your child’s teacher (via Dojo) or the school office is always the best first step. We’re always happy to help.
📞 01895 462 364 | ✉️ enquiries@belmore.school
