Attendance Update

23 Jan 2026

We've had some positive news from the Department for Education with regards to our attendance figures - while we track attendance throughout the year, the DfE now regularly updates us with performance reports.  We are in a group with 20 other schools across the country that the DfE believe are similar from their extensive dataset, allowing us to see our attendance figures in context.

Areas of relative strength that were highlighted in the report include:

 

  • Attendance on Tuesdays was 94.4%, higher than 19 out of 20 similar schools.
  • Year 7 attendance was 96.6%, more than 19 out of 20 similar schools. We also had fewer persistently absent pupils in year 7 than 15 out of 20 similar schools.
  • Year 11 attendance was 93.7%, more than 19 out of 20 similar schools. We also had fewer persistently absent pupils in year 11 than 16 out of 20 similar schools.
Our overall attendance is good compared to similar schools.

 

When we look at years 7-11, there is reason for optimism....

 

Overall Absence Band
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Less than 5% (ie 96% attendance or more) 75% 68% 53% 54% 56%
5% to less than 10% (ie 91 to 95% attendance or more) 17% 22% 29% 24% 27%
10% and above (ie 90% attendance or less) 8% 10% 18% 22% 17%

 

However, there's always things we could do better.  We believe that missing school is missing out, and all FSG staff try to make it the best place for our students to be.  Have a look at our attendance page which gives details of:

 

  • How to report your child absent
  • What to do if they have a medical appointment, or you want to request a term time absence
  • Why attendance matters
  • Links with help and information if you are struggling to get your child into school

Your child's SDL and our Pastoral Team are on hand to help.