ATTENDANCE
Every Day Matters
At Rainhill High School, we want every pupil to benefit fully from everything school has to offer.
Regular attendance gives pupils the best opportunity to learn well, achieve highly, build strong relationships and participate fully in school life.
Attendance or Above
We recognise that there will be occasions when pupils are genuinely too unwell to attend, but this expectation reflects our ambition for pupils to be in school and benefiting from their education whenever they are able to do so.
Nationally for Attendance
Rainhill has a very strong culture of attendance and compared very favourably with similar schools.
This reflects the commitment of our pupils, families and staff to making every school day count.
For us, excellent attendance is not simply about a percentage. It means pupils being present for the teaching, relationships, experiences and opportunities that help them flourish.
When Pupils Attend, They Do Well
There is a strong relationship between regular attendance and achievement. Every day in school gives pupils access to carefully sequenced teaching, expert explanation, practice, feedback and support.
Our experience at Rainhill reinforces this. Pupils who attend regularly do well. Our latest GCSE outcomes show substantial improvement, with attainment comparing favourably with the national picture across key measures.
Being in school matters. Regular attendance gives pupils the best opportunity to succeed.
Attendance also provides access to everything that makes up wider school life, including friendships, enrichment, sport, the arts, trips and visits, careers experiences, leadership opportunities and our wider Character Curriculum.
Small Amounts of Absence Quickly Become Significant
Even relatively small amounts of absence can add up to a substantial amount of missed education over the course of a school year.
What We Expect
We expect every pupil to achieve at least 97% attendance, attend school every day that they are well enough to do so, arrive on time and be ready to learn.
Build Strong Routines
Establish consistent attendance and punctuality habits.
Report Absence Promptly
Report absence through Arbor by 8.30am when your child is genuinely unable to attend.
Protect Learning Time
Arrange routine medical and dental appointments outside the school day wherever reasonably possible.
Avoid Term-Time Holidays
Family holidays should not be arranged during term time.
Talk to Us Early
Contact us if something is beginning to affect your child’s attendance.
Difficulties are usually easier to address when pupils, families and school work together early.
If Your Child Is Unwell
We recognise that there will be occasions when a pupil is genuinely too unwell to attend school.
If your child cannot attend because of illness, please inform us via Arbor by 8.30am on the day of absence using our normal absence-reporting procedure.
Many minor ailments do not require a pupil to remain at home. Our Minor Ailments Guide provides practical information to help families decide when their child should attend school.
Where illness or a medical condition begins to affect attendance more significantly, please speak to us. We can work with you, your child and, where appropriate, other professionals to consider what support may be required.
If Attendance Becomes Difficult
Sometimes there is more behind absence than simply being unwell. Anxiety, SEND, physical or mental health needs, family circumstances, friendship difficulties or other barriers can sometimes make attending school more difficult.
Identify
We monitor attendance carefully so that changes and emerging patterns can be identified early.
Understand
Where we have concerns, we communicate with families and listen to the pupil to understand what may be getting in the way.
Support
We work together to identify appropriate actions, support and, where needed, reasonable adjustments.
Review
We review whether support is making a difference and adapt it where necessary.
Depending on individual need, this may involve our Attendance Team, Year Team, SEND, pastoral or safeguarding colleagues and, where appropriate, external professionals.
Where pupils have additional needs, we consider appropriate support and reasonable adjustments to help them remain part of school, access their curriculum and attend successfully.
We will always seek to work constructively with pupils and families. Where there is no legitimate reason for absence and supportive approaches do not result in improvement, the school will also fulfil its statutory attendance responsibilities.
Pupils Need a Reason to Want to Be Here
Excellent attendance is not created by attendance systems alone.
We want pupils to want to come to Rainhill: to feel safe, known and valued; experience high-quality teaching; develop strong relationships; and participate fully in school life.
This is central to our ambition of In Pursuit of Excellence.
Regular attendance gives pupils the opportunity to learn, belong, contribute and make the most of everything Rainhill has to offer.
