Supporting Excellent Attendance at Carnforth School
At Carnforth School, we believe that every day in school counts. Regular attendance gives children the best chance to learn, make friends, and grow in confidence. We work closely with children and families to ensure everyone feels supported, motivated and able to attend school regularly.
Below is an overview of how we encourage, recognise and support excellent attendance across our school community.
Creating an environment where children want to attend
We know that good attendance starts with children feeling happy, safe and ready to learn. Our staff prioritise:
- Warm, positive relationships with children
- Engaging lessons and a supportive classroom environment
- Listening to children’s concerns early and acting on them
- Working with children to identify and remove barriers to attendance (e.g. worries, friendships, learning needs)
Our whole-school approach ensures every child feels welcomed and valued each morning.
Celebrating and rewarding good attendance
Carnforth School recognises and celebrates positive attendance throughout the year. We use a range of rewards designed to motivate and encourage children, while keeping the experience fair and enjoyable for all.
Certificates and praise
We celebrate positive attendance in a variety of ways, including weekly and termly certificates for excellent or improved attendance, in‑class celebrations or recognition for children who meet attendance expectations, and special congratulations from staff when children reach significant attendance milestones.
We present children with a range of attendance‑focused rewards, including class rewards for groups who meet their whole‑class targets, individualised attendance goals for children with additional needs or long‑term health issues so that every child has the opportunity to experience success, and positive phone calls or postcards home to recognise and celebrate children’s efforts.
We make sure that children who face health or personal challenges are still able to earn recognition tailored to their situation.
Working in partnership with families
Supporting attendance is a shared responsibility. We aim to create strong, trusting relationships with families so concerns can be discussed openly and support can be put in place early.
How we support families
- Early phone calls or conversations when attendance begins to dip, to understand what is happening and identify any barriers
- Meetings with parents, led by our Attendance Officer or school staff, to talk through challenges and agree practical next steps
- Regular check-ins for families who need ongoing support
- Collaboration with other agencies, such as family support workers or social care, where this will help
- Clear communication about attendance expectations and why attendance matters for children’s learning and wellbeing
Our approach is supportive, compassionate and solution-focused. We always aim to work with families, not apply punitive measures unless necessary and only after support has been offered.
Personalised attendance support
For children who require additional help, such as those with SEND, health needs or anxiety, Carnforth School offers tailored support, which may include:
- Pastoral support plans
- Adjustments to routines, including phased returns or temporary changes to start/finish times
- A quiet space for children during busy times
- Individual attendance plans with achievable goals
- Coordinated support from external professionals
We ensure that no child is disadvantaged because of circumstances beyond their control.
Early intervention to keep attendance on track
We keep a close eye on attendance so we can step in early and offer support if we notice a pattern of absences. This may include a range of approaches aimed to support improvement, such as contacting families by phone, or inviting you in to talk through what’s going on and agree some simple targets together.
Our aim is always to work with families early on so that any worries or barriers are sorted quickly and sensitively.
A shared commitment to every child’s success
Together we can ensure that children attend regularly, build confidence and achieve their full potential.
If you ever have worries about your child’s attendance or wellbeing, we are here to help. Please contact our Attendance Officer, Keren Finnegan, at kfinnegan@blackpeartrust.org
To view our Attendance and Absence Policy, please visit our policies page.