Working Together to Support Your Child’s Attendance & Wellbeing

Dear Parents and Carers,

At Yorkswood Primary School, our primary focus is to ensure every child feels happy, safe, and supported so they can thrive in all areas of school life. Following up on our recent ClassDojo post, we want to reiterate our commitment to working closely with our families to build strong, regular attendance across our entire school community.

Daily attendance is vital not only for academic success, but also for children’s Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH). Being in school every day allows children to build strong friendships, establish reassuring routines, grow in confidence, and feel a real sense of belonging. Looking at our school data from last year, children with good attendance (over 95%) achieved consistently higher educational outcomes across every year group. When children are here, they flourish through the dedicated teaching and support our team provides.

Introducing Jade Crammond, Our Education Welfare Officer (EWO)

To help us offer the best possible support to our school community, we are delighted to welcome Jade Crammond, our dedicated Education Welfare Officer (EWO).

Jade will be working alongside us one day every week to support our families and school team. Her role is rooted in early help and collaboration—working with parents to understand any barriers to attendance, providing advice, and finding positive solutions so every child can attend school regularly and comfortably.

In line with updated Department for Education (DfE) guidance (Working Together to Improve School Attendance), we operate a "Support First" approach. Whenever attendance becomes a concern or challenges arise, our fundamental starting point is always: "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Daily Attendance Guidance & Procedures

To help our morning routines run smoothly and maintain clear safeguarding procedures, please note the following essential guidance:

• Reporting Absences by 8:30 AM: If your child is unable to attend school, please notify the school office by 8:30 AM on each day of absence.

• Providing Specific Symptoms: When calling, please give specific details regarding your child's symptoms rather than leaving a general "unwell" or "ill" message.

• Minor Illnesses & NHS Guidance: Following official NHS advice (Is my child too ill for school?), children with minor coughs, colds, or sniffles can and should attend school as long as they do not have a high temperature. We keep plenty of tissues in class and will monitor them closely throughout the day.

• Punctuality & Register Closing Times:

  • School begins and registers close at 8:55 AM.

  • Children arriving between 8:55 AM and 9:25 AM will receive a Late mark ('L').

  • Arrivals after 9:25 AM are recorded as an Unauthorised Late ('U'), which legally counts as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.

• Medical Appointments: Please arrange routine dental and medical appointments outside of school hours wherever possible. If an appointment during the school day is unavoidable, please provide an appointment card or letter to the office. Children should attend school before and/or after their appointment so they lose as little learning time as possible.

Early Help & 'Safe and Well Checks'

We understand that every family experiences difficulties from time to time, and getting to school every day can sometimes feel challenging. We offer a range of support pathways to work alongside you:

• Early Help Support Meetings: If your child’s attendance falls below 95% or if they experience school-related anxiety, Jade Crammond (EWO) and our Family Support team will reach out to invite you to an Early Help conversation so we can put tailored support in place.

• 'Safe and Well Checks': In line with DfE statutory guidelines, if a child has 3 consecutive days of absence, members of our staff may perform a home visit known as a 'Safe and Well Check'. These visits are purely supportive—our goal is simply to check in, see that your child is safe, and see how we can assist you.

Planned Term-Time Absences

Under national DfE regulations, Headteachers are strictly prohibited from granting leave of absence during term time unless exceptional circumstances apply.

• Submitting a Request: If you need to request leave for exceptional reasons, an official request form must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance.

• Unauthorised Absences & Penalty Notices: Holidays during term time cannot be authorised. Amassing 10 or more sessions (5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a term may lead to a referral to the Local Authority for a Penalty Notice fine.

We are incredibly proud of our children and value the strong relationship we hold with our parents and carers. By working in partnership with Jade, our school team, and your family, we can ensure every child at Yorkswood gets the most out of their education.

If you have any questions or feel you would benefit from extra support with your child's attendance, please feel free to contact the school office or reach out to Jade Crammond during her day with us.

Warmest regards,

Yorkswood Primary School Leadership Team

What a fantastic first full week back! Our team worked tirelessly all summer to improve our school, and we are delighted the children love the results!

Our School Vision & Values 

"Every child who walks through our doors carries infinite potential; together, we ASPIRE to reach it."

To help every child reach that potential, we are focusing on our ASPIRE values every day:

• A – Ambition: Reaching for our goals and giving new things a go.

• S – Support: Lifting others up, being kind, and making sure no one feels left out.

• P – Perseverance: Keeping on trying, even when something feels tough.

• I – Integrity: Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

• R – Respect: Treating others the way we want to be treated.

• E – Enjoyment: Finding the fun in learning and playing together.

Our Behaviour Approach: Consistency Over Severity 

We know that children learn how to behave just like they learn Maths or Reading, and making mistakes is a normal part of growing up. Our new policy focuses on consistency over severity—keeping calm, predictable boundaries that children can trust. When a mistake happens, adults work with the child using restorative actions to help them understand their choices, repair relationships, and move forward positively once they feel calm. You can see our overview attached to this letter.

Celebrating Good Choices

We love recognising when children show our values! This year, we have some exciting new ways to celebrate:

• ClassDojo Points: Earned for positive classroom choices towards individual and whole-class targets.

• House Points: Reserved strictly for outstanding work.

• ASPIRE Passports: We have developed a new passport! Children will earn value stickers for being role models, with the aim of completing their passport by the end of the year.

• Star of the Week: To encourage kindness and a strong sense of community, this award is now chosen by the children! Peers will nominate each other and decide the reasons why their classmate deserves to be Star of the Week.

• ASPIRE Ambassadors: Special half-termly awards for children who consistently shine.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making this start of term so special. Have a wonderful, restful weekend!

Solihull Council is here to help residents discover the activities, support and services available to families in Solihull over the summer. 

Here2Help this summer provides information about free events at the Best Start Family Hubs, sessions through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, and financial support for families via the Crisis and Resilience Fund. 

Here2Help this summer homepage 

Separate support information:

Cost of Living 

Summer Activities 

Best Start Family Hubs

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Here2Help Team here2help@solihull.gov.uk.

Chloe and Liz will be completing weekly drop in sessions in the north and south of Solihull. They will be offering attendance advice, support and guidance. These sessions are perfect for you if:

• Your child worries about going to school.

• You feel you have tried everything to ensure your child attends school but nothing seems to be working.

• You feel there has been a relationship breakdown with your child's school.

• You have general questions around school attendance.

Please attend one of our drop in sessions for attendance support. There is no need to make an appointment. Just drop in during the drop in times above:

• Tuesdays: Tuesday 12-1.30pm @ Elmwood Place. The address is 37 Burtons Way, Birmingham, B36 0UG.

• Wednesdays: Wednesday 9.30-11.30am @ Monkspath Juniors and Infants School. This is located in the bungalow next to the school building at 5 Farmhouse Way, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4EH.

If you have any questions please email attendanceenquiries@solihull.gov.uk. We encourage any parents in the Kingshurst community who need a helping hand to take advantage of this wonderful resource provided by Solihull Family Hubs.

Why Choose Park & Stride?

Park & Stride is a simple scheme that gives our pupils the opportunity to walk, talk, and have fun with their friends on the way to school. You can walk all the way from home, or choose to park a little further away from the school in one of our designated parking spots—such as Babbs Mill Park—and walk just part of the way. It is an easy way to add exercise into your family's daily routine.

At Yorkswood Primary School, we are constantly reflecting on "The Why" behind our work. Headteacher Mr Lawrence recently shared his personal connection to our community, noting that education is the ultimate key to choice and opportunity. Our "why" is simple: your children. We are committed to providing the best teachers, the best environment, and the best provision for every child.

We understand that life can sometimes be complicated and hurdles can get in the way. Our goal is to work in partnership with our Kingshurst families to overcome these challenges. To support this, we have streamlined our attendance procedures to ensure transparency and clarity.

Key Timing Reminders:

• 8:40 am: School gates open.

• 8:45 am: Classroom doors open for a smooth start to the day.

• 8:55 am: Gates close. Arrivals after this time must sign in at the office and will receive a late mark.

• 9:25 am: Arrivals after this time are recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.

• 3:30 pm: Standard collection time (unless attending an after-school club).

Our Commitment to Safety and Support From Day 1 of an absence, we will check in to ensure your child is safe. If attendance falls below 95%, we don't just see a statistic—we see an opportunity to help. Whether it’s a friendly phone call, an "Early Help" meeting, or a supportive "Attendance Contract," our focus is always on celebrating improvements and providing stability for your child.

We are here to help your child thrive. If you have any concerns regarding attendance, please reach out to your class teacher or our dedicated Attendance Team.

Year 1 children have taken part in a Young Writers competition writing their own recipe poems and these children have been chosen to have their work published in the ‘Recipe Poems- Little Wonders’ book. We are very proud of them! 

Jacob (Year 3) created this model volcano following our shake, rattle and roll topic this half term.

Year 4 have had an exciting term with a visit from the fire service and Bikeability. 

Ambika (Year 5) created this wonderful non-chronological report all about dragons. 

Our wider curriculum is built around fascinating topics that blend History and Geography, helping our children to develop critical thinking skills, a sense of place, and an understanding of the world's past and present.

See below an overview of the wider curriculum learning that the children have enjoyed this year so far.

As you can see, the children have had a great term and learnt so much. If you have any questions about what your child is learning, please speak with your child’s class teacher and they will be happy to help. 

As a school, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always our top priority. Child Safety Week, an annual campaign organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), provides a fantastic opportunity for us all – school, parents, and the wider community – to refresh our knowledge and focus on preventing accidents and keeping children safe from harm.

This year's theme, "Safety is for sharing," highlights the importance of talking about safety, sharing our experiences, and learning from each other. Accidents can happen to anyone, but by working together and sharing simple, practical advice, we can significantly reduce the risks.

Why is Child Safety Week Important for Our Families?

Children are naturally curious and adventurous, which is wonderful for their development. However, it also means they can be more vulnerable to accidents. From bumps and bruises to more serious injuries, many accidents are preventable with the right awareness and precautions. Child Safety Week encourages us to:

• Be more aware: To think about potential dangers in and outside the home.
• Share knowledge: To discuss safety tips with our children, family members, and other parents.
• Take action: To make small changes that can make a big difference to a child's safety.

Key Areas of Focus for Primary School Children:

During Child Safety Week, and indeed throughout the year, it's helpful to consider some key safety areas relevant to primary school-aged children:

• Safety at Home: This includes preventing burns and scalds (especially from hot drinks and cooking), choking hazards (from small toys or food), falls (from windows, stairs, or furniture), and poisoning (from medicines or cleaning products).
• Road Safety: With many of our children walking to and from school, understanding road safety rules, using pedestrian crossings, and being aware of traffic is vital.
• Online Safety: As children increasingly navigate the digital world, it's crucial to have ongoing conversations about staying safe online, protecting personal information, and responsible internet use.
• Playing Safely: Whether in the playground, at the park, or at home, encouraging safe play, including awareness of potential hazards with toys or during outdoor activities, is important.

How You Can Get Involved:

• Talk to Your Children: Use age-appropriate language to discuss safety in different situations. Ask them what they think is important for staying safe.
• Review Your Home Environment: Take a fresh look around your home for any potential hazards and address them.
• Access Resources: We have uploaded a resource pack of helpful information to support you. We encourage you to explore these.
• Share What You Learn: Talk to other parents, share tips on class groups (if applicable), or discuss with family members. The more we share, the safer our children will be.
• Lead by Example: Children learn by watching adults. Demonstrate safe behaviours in your everyday life.

We believe that by working in partnership, we can empower our children to make safe choices and create a safer environment for everyone. Let's make Child Safety Week 2025 a fantastic opportunity to reinforce these important messages.

Keep an eye on the school dojo for any specific activities or further information we might be sharing during Child Safety Week.