Attendance

Attendance and the Importance of Being in School

At Sparrow Farm Primary School, we know that every day in school really does make a difference.

Good attendance helps children:

Make the most of their learning
Build confidence and independence
Develop lasting friendships

When children miss school, even for a short time, it can be harder for them to catch up with lessons and routines.

We ask all parents and carers to support us by ensuring children attend school every day and arrive on time, ready to learn.

Why Good Attendance Matters

Attendance Percentage	Days Missed per School Year	What This Means
100%	0 days missed	Excellent – your child is making the most of every learning opportunity.
95%	Around 10 days missed	Good – but your child has still missed two full weeks of learning.
90%	Around 19 days missed	Concerning – this is almost four weeks of missed learning (equivalent to half a day every week).
85% or below	28+ days missed	Serious concern – your child is missing the equivalent of more than half a term of school.

Even a few days’ absence can have a big impact on progress.

Where possible, please make medical and dental appointments outside school hours.

Term-Time Leave

By law, children must attend school regularly. The Headteacher can only authorise term-time leave in exceptional circumstances. This means that holidays, family visits, or extended trips overseas will not be approved.

Please note that medical treatment overseas cannot be authorised, as suitable treatment can be arranged in the UK.

If you need to request time off during term time, please complete a Leave of Absence Request Form before making any travel arrangements. Each request will be carefully considered, but approval will only be given in exceptional cases.

Absence Due to Illness

If your child is unwell, please let the school office know as soon as possible each morning they are absent. You can leave a message on 02088907194, or email attendance@sparrowfarm.hounslow.sch.uk

Please be aware that any absence immediately before or after a school holiday will be recorded as unauthorised unless supported by medical evidence, even if the absence is reported as illness.

Working Together for Good Attendance

We understand that there may be times when your child’s attendance is affected by illness or family difficulties. If you are finding it hard to get your child into school, please talk to us — we are here to help and support your family.

Together, we can make sure every child enjoys their learning, feels part of the school community, and reaches their full potential.

Need Support or Advice?

If you have any questions about attendance, or if you would like support in improving your child’s attendance, please contact:

Sarah Macrae - Attendance Lead; attendance@sparrowfarm.hounslow.sch.uk