The first step to success is to turn up

There are certain things in schools that we can overcomplicate, but good attendance is not one of them. Students learn more when they are in school.

That might sound obvious, but after the disruption caused by Covid attendance became a national challenge. Habits changed, expectations shifted and, in many places, regular attendance became something that could no longer be taken for granted. That is why I am so pleased to share that for the first five weeks of this academic year, attendance at Marple Hall has been stronger than at any point since the pandemic. More importantly, the overwhelming majority of our students are here every day, arriving on time, attending lessons and making the most of the opportunities available to them. That is just what almost all our young people do.

Attendance is about much more than statistics. Every day in school means learning alongside friends, hearing an explanation that unlocks understanding, taking part in discussions, developing skills, building confidence and feeling part of the community. Miss a day and you miss more than lessons. You miss experiences, relationships and opportunities that cannot always be recreated later.

I would like to thank parents and carers for their support. Good attendance is a partnership between home and school, and the strong start we have made this year reflects the importance that families place on education. Of course, when students are genuinely unwell they should stay at home and recover. But for the vast majority of school days, being in school remains the single most important thing a young person can do to support their learning and development.

Talking of opportunities, next week sees our students take to the stage for Mary Poppins Jr. School productions are always among the highlights of the year and represent months of hard work, commitment and creativity from students and staff alike. If you have not yet bought tickets, I would strongly encourage you to do so. You can find details and ticket information on the Mary Poppins Jr page.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Barker

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