At Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, we are deeply committed to providing every child in our care with the right environment and resources to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. As part of our broader Child Safeguarding Policy, attendance plays a key role in safeguarding student well-being and development.
Regular attendance is both a legal requirement and vital to each child’s socio-emotional and academic growth.
A Safe and Supportive Environment
When we talk about safeguarding, we mean more than just the legal and procedural measures in place to protect students. Our safeguarding efforts focus on creating a nurturing environment where students feel secure, valued and supported in their journey to becoming proactive, 21st-century citizens.
Regular school attendance is key as it enables us to:
- Monitor student safety and well-being
- Build strong, trusting relationships with them, so they feel comfortable approaching staff with any concerns
- Provide a consistent support network, especially for students facing challenges at home.
Every day a child is present at school is an opportunity for them to engage in a learning experience that extends beyond the classroom, reinforcing their self-esteem, social skills, and academic abilities. Students who regularly attend school benefit from a structured routine that helps them build resilience, discipline and a sense of responsibility - qualities we aim to nurture in all our students.
The Impact of Consistent Attendance on Academic Growth
The relationship between attendance and academic performance is clear. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve their academic potential.
As outlined in Haut-Lac’s attendance policy, we set a high 95% attendance standard because we know every day counts. When a child misses school, they miss out on opportunities to develop skills that are vital to their academic progress, including:
- Language acquisition, especially in our bilingual environment
- Subject-specific knowledge
- Interpersonal skills and teamwork
Falling behind, even slightly, can have a snowball effect, as lessons build on one another. Our curriculum is designed to challenge students not just intellectually, but also physically and creatively. By missing school, students not only miss out on core academic instruction, but also extra-curricular opportunities that foster their holistic development.
For this reason, we work closely with parents and carers to ensure children attend regularly. When attendance falls below 95%, we initiate meetings to identify the cause and offer support. Absences that go unexplained or extend over long periods are investigated further to ensure all students benefit fully from the educational opportunities at Haut-Lac School.
The Impact of Consistent Attendance on Emotional Well-Being
Attending school also has significant implications for a child's socio-emotional development.
Children who attend school regularly are more likely to:
- Build stable friendships and develop a sense of belonging
- Participate in group activities that enhance their teamwork and communication skills
- Experience emotional stability, as school provides a predictable, structured environment where they feel safe and supported
From a safeguarding perspective, frequent absences can be a red flag. It could indicate underlying emotional, psychological or family issues that need attention. Regular attendance enables us to recognise patterns that may require intervention, whether through additional academic support, counseling, or other resources.
What’s more, students who are part of a caring, attentive school community are more likely to feel confident and empowered. This, in turn, equips them to cope with challenges both in and out of the classroom.
Why Reinforce Good Attendance Habits Early On
At Haut-Lac, we believe instilling good attendance habits begins early. Our attendance policy applies to all students, including those in nursery and infant sections. By ensuring children start developing these habits from a young age, we are laying the foundation for their future success.
Parents and carers play a crucial role in this process. We ask them to not only ensure punctuality and regular attendance, but also communicate with us when absences are unavoidable. This partnership between home and school is essential for reinforcing the message that attending school consistently is not just a legal obligation, but a key part of a child’s educational journey.
Collaboration: A Shared Responsibility
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. The entire school community, including staff, directors, parents and students, must collaborate to foster an environment where good attendance is the norm and valued. By promoting a culture of attendance, we ensure:
- All students have the opportunity to succeed academically
- No child is left behind due to absences or missed opportunities
- We are doing our part to safeguard each student’s emotional and psychological well-being
Haut-Lac School strives to maintain high attendance rates through regular monitoring, evaluation and action planning, to ensure students have the tools they need for lifelong learning and personal growth. By making attendance a priority, we can better support our mission of developing confident, informed and responsible global citizens.
Final Thoughts
As we continue to raise awareness about child safeguarding, it is important to remember that consistent attendance is more than just a matter of meeting legal requirements. It is about ensuring every child at Haut-Lac School is able to live, learn and achieve in a safe and supportive environment. Parents, carers and school staff must work together to ensure children attend school regularly, as it is essential to their academic success, emotional well-being and overall development.
Let’s continue to make attendance a priority, as part of our commitment to providing an exceptional and holistic education for all students at Haut-Lac School.
Renaud Milhoux
Head of Nursery, Infant & Primary
