At Captain Cook Primary School we believe that good school attendance is of upmost importance for all of our children. We therefore monitor attendance weekly and run whole school incentive schemes to encourage and promote good attendance.
Period: 03/09/2024 – Current |
Group | % Attend |
Year R | 93.3 |
Year Y1 | 95.1 |
Year Y2 | 95.9 |
Year Y3 | 96.1 |
Year Y4 | 96.1 |
Year Y5 | 95.1 |
Year Y6 | 95.4 |
Totals | 95.3 |
Attendance and Punctuality Expectations at Captain Cook Primary School
Absence Procedures
We expect all children to be in school each day – unless they are too ill to come to school. Children can attend school with minor ailments (toothache, headache, stomach ache, cold, sore throat etc.) as over the counter medicines can be given before school. We will always contact home if they become too ill to remain in school and please feel free to contact us to see how they are getting on during the day. Children should be off school for 48 hours if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Again, please contact us if you are unsure how long your child should be absent with an illness.
As a school, we have a legal duty to know where our children are for each school day, so if you child is going to be absent, you MUST telephone the school by 9am to let us know. If we do not hear from you, we will call relevant contact numbers (and emergency contact numbers) to find out why your child is not in school. If we have no response, a member of staff may carry out a home visit. We would appreciate it, if a far as possible, appointments are made for outside of school times.
Punctuality
In Lower School, our doors open at 8.40am and all children must be in school by 8.45am, for registration.
In Upper School, our doors open at 8.45am and all children must be in school by 8.50am, for registration.
If there is an unavoidable reason for your child getting to school late please telephone us to let us know. If a child arrives at school after the registration times above, they must enter school via the main entrance – and not the classroom doors.

The Importance of School Attendance
School attendance is not merely a requirement but a fundamental pillar of education. It plays a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and future prospects, making it an indispensable aspect of your child’s education.
- Academic Achievement: Regular attendance directly correlates with academic success. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, perform better in exams, and improve their life outcomes.
- Knowledge Acquisition: School is where children acquire knowledge and skills that are crucial for their personal and professional growth. Missing days means missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
- Social Development: School provides a vital social environment for children and adolescents to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn essential social skills. Consistent attendance ensures children remain connected to their peer group.
- Building Routine: School attendance establishes a structured routine in children’s lives, teaching them time management and responsibility, which are valuable life skills.
- Teacher Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful teacher-child interactions. Teachers can provide personalised support, address questions, and assess individual progress more effectively when children attend regularly.
- Preventing Knowledge Gaps: Frequent absences can lead to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging for children to catch up with missed lessons, potentially resulting in long-term academic struggles.
- School Engagement: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to engage in extracurricular activities, sports, and other enriching experiences that contribute to their overall development.
- Legal and Parental Responsibility: Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring their child’s regular school attendance. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences.
- Community Well-being: High levels of school attendance contribute to the overall well-being of communities.

What support can we offer?
Your child’s education is very important to us and we endeavour to work alongside you to give them the best possible start in life. We have a fantastic pastoral lead in school, Mrs Lake, who can help support families with attendance issues. We also work alongside Mrs Hudson, who is our school Education Welfare Officer.
Inclusive Attendance Professional Development Model
Captain Cook Primary School is proudly recognised as an Inclusive Attendance school. Our unwavering commitment to attendance centres around child-centric actions, evidence-informed practices, and a shared understanding of everyone’s roles and collective responsibilities to promote exceptional attendance. Please click here to find out more.