Attendance
Every day at Foxwood matters
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93.5% |
95% |
95.8% |
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Attendance 2025–26 |
Our 2026–27 target |
Attendance this year so far |
|
Last year's attendance |
Our ambition for every learner |
Above target! |
At Foxwood Academy, we know that good attendance makes a real difference. Being in school regularly helps our children and young people to learn, build relationships, develop confidence and independence, and make progress towards their future.
We are proud of the commitment our students and families show to attendance. Last year, Foxwood's overall attendance was 93.5%, significantly above the national attendance figure for special schools. This year, we want to build on that success and work together towards our target of 95%.
Why attendance matters
Regular attendance supports much more than academic learning. Every day at Foxwood provides opportunities for our children and young people to develop their communication, relationships, confidence, independence and the skills they will need for adulthood.
It also reflects our Foxwood values:
Educate | Learning for Life | Celebrate | Independence
We want every student to feel safe, happy and excited to come to school, and ready to learn.
We recognise that attendance can sometimes be more complicated for children and young people with SEND. Some students have medical conditions, require regular appointments or experience other barriers that can make attending school more difficult.
Our approach is therefore simple: high expectations alongside the right support.
We aspire for all pupils to attend school at least 95% of the time, while recognising the individual circumstances of our students. Where attendance becomes a concern, our priority is to work with the young person and their family to understand what is happening, identify any barriers and put the right support in place.
How we support attendance
Attendance is monitored carefully by staff across Foxwood.
If we notice that a student's attendance is beginning to fall, their tutor team will usually contact home to check how they are and whether there is anything we can do to help.
When attendance falls below 93%, we will send an Attendance Information Letter. This ensures that parents and carers are aware of the level of absence and the possible impact of missed school.
Where attendance continues to fall, a Phase Leader and/or our Head of Care and Family Liaison may work with the family to develop an Attendance Support Plan.
The focus is on understanding the reasons for absence, removing barriers and identifying practical support. Where appropriate, this may include support from other professionals and agencies alongside the support available within Foxwood.
At every stage, our aim is to work with families to improve attendance and provide the right support for the young person.
Parents and carers will also receive an attendance update at the end of each half term so that they can see their child's attendance to date.
If your child is unwell
We understand that children get ill and there will be times when coming to school is not appropriate.
If your child is unwell and cannot attend school, please contact the school office before 8:30am and tell us the reason for their absence.
If we have not received a reason for an absence, we will contact parents or carers. This is an important part of our safeguarding procedures and helps us make sure that our students are safe.
For advice about whether your child is well enough to attend school, please see the NHS guidance:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
Medical appointments
Wherever possible, we ask families to arrange routine medical appointments outside the school day.
We recognise that this is not always possible, particularly for some of our children and young people who have ongoing medical needs or specialist appointments.
Where an appointment has to take place during the school day, arranging it as early or as late in the day as possible can help reduce the amount of learning missed.
Please provide the school office with evidence of the appointment so that the absence can be recorded correctly.
Working together
Excellent attendance is a partnership between students, families and school.
We know our students well and recognise that there is no single solution when attendance becomes difficult. We will listen, understand individual circumstances and work with families to find the right support, while maintaining high expectations for every child and young person.
Our ambition is simple: we want every Foxwood student in school, learning, thriving and preparing for their future as often as they possibly can.
Useful information
The Department for Education provides information for parents and carers about school attendance and the support available when attendance becomes difficult.
Is my child too ill for school?
Our policy
For more information about our approach, expectations and support for attendance, please see the Academy policy