Attendance

Attendance at Bramfield House

Where Every Day Really Does Matter!

At Bramfield House School, we believe that attendance is everyone’s responsibility. Consistent attendance is the foundation of positive educational outcomes, emotional wellbeing and future success. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for pupils to learn, develop socially, build trusting relationships and access the therapeutic support that is central to our provision.

As a specialist therapeutic school, we recognise that many of our pupils have experienced barriers to education, including unmet special educational needs, anxiety, trauma and complex social, emotional and mental health needs. We understand that improving attendance is not achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work in partnership with pupils, families and professionals to understand the reasons behind absence and provide the right support at the right time.

Our approach reflects the Department for Education’s expectation that schools promote a culture where all pupils are expected and supported to attend, while recognising that attendance difficulties should be understood and addressed through early identification, collaborative working and individualised support.

Our Attendance Expectations

We have high expectations for attendance because we know that pupils achieve their best outcomes when they can access learning consistently.

We expect all pupils to:

• Attend school every day unless there is a genuine reason why they are unable to do so.
• Arrive on time and ready to learn.
• Engage positively with learning, therapeutic interventions and wider school life.

We ask parents and carers to:

• Support regular attendance and punctuality.
• Inform the school promptly if their child is unable to attend.
• Work collaboratively with us to overcome any barriers affecting attendance.

By working together, we can ensure every pupil has the best opportunity to succeed.

Our Graduated Waves Approach

Attendance support at Bramfield House School is delivered through a graduated Waves model, ensuring intervention is proportionate, responsive and tailored to each pupil’s individual needs.

Wave 1 – Universal

Attendance is promoted through a whole-school culture of belonging, positive relationships and high expectations. All pupils benefit from:

• A nurturing therapeutic environment.
• Strong relationships with trusted adults.
• Personalised learning that meets individual needs.
• Clear routines and consistent expectations.
• Positive recognition and celebration of good and improving attendance.
• Regular communication with families.

Wave 2 – Targeted

Where attendance begins to decline, we act early to identify barriers and provide additional support. This may include:

• Attendance reviews with our Educational Welfare Officer.
• Individual attendance plans.
• Pastoral and therapeutic interventions.
• Increased communication with families.
• Reasonable adjustments to support engagement.
• Short-term targeted strategies to improve attendance.

Wave 3 – Intensive

For pupils experiencing significant or persistent attendance difficulties, we provide coordinated, personalised support involving the wider professional network where appropriate. This may include:

• Multi-agency planning.
• Enhanced therapeutic support.
• Reviews of provision and individual needs.
• Bespoke reintegration programmes.
• Collaborative working with parents, carers and external agencies to secure sustainable improvements in attendance.

This graduated approach ensures support is delivered at the earliest opportunity while maintaining high aspirations for every pupil.

Recognising Success

Positive attendance is recognised and celebrated across the school. We understand that success looks different for every pupil and therefore celebrate not only consistently high attendance but also sustained improvement, resilience and positive engagement.

Recognising success helps pupils develop confidence, strengthens their sense of belonging and reinforces positive attendance habits. Our focus is on encouraging progress and ensuring every pupil feels valued for the achievements they make.

Attendance and Positive Outcomes

Research consistently demonstrates that regular school attendance is linked to improved educational achievement, emotional wellbeing and successful preparation for adulthood. For our pupils, attending school also provides access to therapeutic support, specialist teaching, structured routines and opportunities to develop communication, emotional regulation, independence and social skills.

By attending regularly, pupils are better able to:

• Build secure relationships with trusted adults.
• Access the full curriculum and therapeutic provision.
• Develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Improve academic progress.
• Prepare successfully for their next stage of education, employment or training.

Start of the school Day

Students are welcomed onto school site from 8:50am

Registration closes at 9:20am

During this time, pupils are welcomed on site and can enjoy a variety of breakfast options available to them. Pupils then head off to their base classrooms for extended tutorial time which fits in with our Trauma Informed Practice model of Connection Time.

End of the school Day

The school day finishes at 3pm (Monday- Thursday) and 2pm on Fridays.

Students will be in their base classrooms from 2:30pm (Monday – Thursdays) and 1:30pm on Fridays where they are able to co-reflect as a class and staff group, which again links with our Trauma Informed Practice ethos.

Additional Information and Support

Summary table of responsibilities for attendance: Summary table of responsibilities for school attendance

Resources for families: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/back-into-school/resources-for-families/

Where can I get support?

If your child is struggling with their punctuation and attendance, please reach out to the school for support. You can contact the following teams:

• Carl Poppy – Head of Safeguarding, Senior Attendance Champion
• Zahra Jones – Assistant Headteacher, Senior Attendance Champion
• Or your students individual Learning Mentor

If your query or request for support is around a transport related issue please contact your local authority transport in the first instance but onsite support can be provided by the following;

• Kathy Brooke SENCO
• Diane Brittle Assistant SENCO