--- title: "Why attendance matters" url: "https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2024-10-18-why-attendance-matters" school: "Penwortham Priory Academy" --- # Why attendance matters ![Image of Why attendance matters](https://files.schudio.com/penwortham-priory-academy/images/news/Attendance_tick.jpg) 18 October 2024 We would like to thank all of our parents and families for ensuring your child has good, punctual school attendance and for your continued commitment to your child’s learning. School attendance is important for academic success. When children attend school regularly they have more opportunities to learn and achieve. Being in school supports children to learn vital social skills, build confidence and develop independence; all skills which are important for adult life. Children learn how to navigate through challenges, problem solving and create a vast amount of their childhood memories in school. Good attendance also acts as a way to keep children safe. Knowing who is absent from school and the reason for it is fundamental to effective safeguarding. We have recently updated our Attendance and Punctuality Policy in line with the Department for Education (DfE) and Lancashire County Council (LCC), and there have been changes to a number of aspects including unauthorised absences, fines etc. The new policy and LCC parent leaflet are available online via our school website at >> www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/attendance Punctuality and pupils getting to Penwortham Priory Academy on time is really important. Pupils will be reminded to make their way to form from 8.30am to ensure they are there on time. This means your child gets the opportunity to settle into class and be ready for learning and the day ahead. Most of the school gates close promptly at 8.35am and the only way into school from this point is via the main school gate and then through the pupil access door where Mrs Crank (Assistant Principal) and Mr Shipton (Pastoral Manager) are on duty each and every day to welcome pupils. We look forward to welcoming pupils back after half term and please remind them they are to be in their form rooms for 8.40am. ![](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/images/news/Gettin-your-child-to-school-really-matters-pic.jpg) [Learning for Life](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/tag/learning-for-life) [Attendance](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/tag/attendance) [Pastoral](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/tag/pastoral) [ Black History Month food sale](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2024-10-17-black-history-month-food-sale) [Year 11 History go back in time at Gawthorpe Hall trip ](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2024-10-28-year-11-history-go-back-in-time-at-gawthorpe-hall-trip) ### Penwortham Priory Academy Crow Hills Road Penwortham Preston Lancashire PR1 0JE 01772 320250 ### Useful Links - [New Year 7 Transition](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/about-priory/transition) - [The School Day](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/the-school-day) - [Facility Hire](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/facility-hire-at-priory) - [Term Dates](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/termdates) - [Letters](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/letters) ### Useful Links - [Newsletters](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/newsletters) - [OFSTED](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/about-priory/ofsted-report) - [Online Payments](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/parents/internet-payments) - [Staff Contact](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/staff/staff-contact-list) - [Vacancies](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/staff/vacancies) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/priorystc) - [X](https://twitter.com/@priorystc) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/penworthampriory/) Penwortham Priory Academy Trust is operating as a single academy trust. It is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England with Company Number 08133703 School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)