Attendance and Behaviour

Attendance

We know children learn best when they are in school. That’s why we expect all children to attend at least 96% of the year. We do not authorise holidays during term time.

Why attendance matters:

  • Missing just 10% of school (around 19 days) can reduce a child’s chances of achieving expected standards

  • Regular attendance is linked to better mental health and social confidence

  • Children who attend consistently are more likely to achieve their full potential

We have a robust attendance policy led by our Assistant Head, Lindsey York, and our Attendance Lead, Karen Keay.

  • We track attendance daily

  • Hold parent contract meetings when necessary

  • Send half-termly personalised emails with attendance figures

  • Share attendance newsletters each term — click here to read them – move from general newsletters

For our attendance policy click here.

Behaviour

At East Hunsbury Primary School we take behaviour - both everyday behaviour and learning behaviour - extremely seriously. Positive behaviour is essential for learning and for creating a safe, happy and successful school community. Children come to school to learn and we will not allow behaviours that interrupt, reduce or prevent that learning from taking place. Every child has the right to feel safe, to be taught well and to thrive in a calm environment, and every member of our community has a responsibility to uphold this.

Our rules Be Ready. Be Respectful. Be Safe. are based on the work of Paul Dix and sit at the heart of our approach. These simple expectations are understood by all children and provide clear guidance on how to behave in lessons, around school and with others. They are reinforced positively and consistently to help children develop strong habits, self-discipline and a deep understanding of how their behaviour affects themselves and others.

Our Relationships and Behaviour Policy is rooted in the Therapeutic Thinking approach. This approach focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour, recognising that behaviour is a form of communication and helping children learn the skills they need to regulate and respond appropriately. It promotes compassion, fairness and strong relationships while maintaining high expectations and clear boundaries. All staff are fully trained in this approach and apply it with consistency across the school. When developing our policy, we consulted with a Behaviour Hub, ensuring our practice reflects the strongest evidence and expertise.

We work closely with children and families to make sure behaviour never becomes a barrier to learning or progress. When difficulties arise, we take time to understand the root cause, support the child and collaborate with families to promote positive change. Our commitment is simple: to create a school environment where every child can learn well, feel safe and be part of a community built on respect, kindness and high expectations.

For our behaviour policy click here.