Attendance & Expectations
Year 11 Attendance – Why It Matters
Year 11 is an important year. The work you do now prepares you for your GCSE exams and the next steps in your life, whether that is college, sixth form, an apprenticeship or a job. Being in school every day gives you the best chance to achieve the grades you want. Even if you are not feeling 100%, you need to be in school, it's the safest place to be.
Here are some important facts about attendance:
- 95% attendance = around 9 days of school missed in a year.
- 90% attendance = around 19 days missed (almost 4 weeks of lessons).
- 85% attendance = around 29 days missed (nearly 6 weeks of learning).
- That is a lot of learning time lost.
Research also shows:
- Students with 95%+ attendance are much more likely to achieve Grade 5+ in English and Maths.
- Students who are persistently absent (attendance below 90%) are far less likely to achieve strong GCSE results.
- Students who are persistently absent (attendance below 90%) earn £10,000 less per year by the age of 28, compared to those with attendance above 90%.
- Missing just one lesson can mean missing key exam knowledge, practice questions, or revision tips from your teacher.
- Each day that you miss, costs you £750 in future earnings
Last Years Year 11:
- 70% of Year 11 (7 out of 10) students last year at Sheffield Park Academy, secured a grade 4+ in English and Maths if their attendance was above 90%.
- Only 30% of Year 11 (3 out of 10) students last year at Sheffield Park Academy, secured a grade 4+ in English and Maths if their attendance was below 90%.
Attendance also affects your future opportunities:
- GCSE grades help you move on to college courses, sixth form, apprenticeships or employment.
- People with stronger qualifications are more likely to access higher-paid careers later in life.
- Employers and colleges value people who are reliable, committed and turn up every day.
Remember:
Every lesson counts, every day counts.
Every day in school gives you more support from teachers.
Excellent attendance gives you the best chance to reach your goals.
Be here, be ready, be successful!