Our theme this term has been all about belonging in Batley. Children starting a new school, or a new year of their education; parents/carers making strong connections with the schools their children attend; new staff settling in to their promoted role or new school, and Governors, Trustees and Members volunteering to help lead our schools and giving their time so generously in these unpaid roles. We are very privileged to work in such a great community. We are very fortunate in Batley to have such highly committed individuals working in our schools, and such great parents/carers and families choosing our schools for their children. Batley=Brilliant Education.

Attendance has been our big priority to get the school year off to a great start. We want all our children to feel like they belong here, so they want to come to school every day. The research proves that children with low attendance e.g. less than 98% have lower achievement. When a child has 98% attendance they have missed 4 school days, or 28 lessons. That is a lot of lost learning!  Higher attendance=higher achievement. 

The target for everyone - staff and learners is at least 98% attendance. We don't ask for 100% as we know life happens and at some point in the school year your child may be genuinely ill. However, that will hopefully be rare. We also thank all those families who have ensured their child has 100% attendance so far this term. Really well done to them!

Thank you also to the families who know the value of a great education and therefore do not book term time absence. We know flights are much cheaper during term time (anyone who works in education has always been frustrated by that as they can never benefit from cheaper flights). However, a great education is priceless. Higher attendance = higher achievement.