A Strong Start – Reflections on the First 4 Weeks of Term

Author: Melissa Warwick – Operations Manager, A Star Attendance Solutions

Well, that’s four weeks done and what a start it’s been! While we’re not based in a school ourselves, the team at A Star Attendance has been right alongside schools across the country, helping them lay strong foundations for the year ahead. In just the first few weeks of term, we’ve welcomed over 50 new schools onto our platform, joining the hundreds already using our system to track, understand, and improve attendance. We’ve also hit the ground running with professional development: delivering four sessions of our accredited CPD, as well as hosting two expert-led courses – one on Attendance and Behaviour, and another on Improving Attendance:  Understanding trauma and attachment. A busy and impactful start and we’re only just getting going!

The Highs

Let’s start with the good stuff because there’s plenty to celebrate. Many of our partner schools have seen fantastic engagement right from the outset. Students are coming in with enthusiasm, routines are clicking into place, and attendance percentages are looking healthy in a lot of areas. They’ve seen some real commitment from staff, families, and communities to making attendance a priority from day one. The results speak for themselves.

We’ve had schools telling us about their new welcome breakfast initiative, “first week back” routines, and even attendance-focused assemblies (with just the right mix of encouragement and gentle accountability). One school told us they had to restock their sticker supply after week one – a small but mighty victory in the battle for daily presence!

The Lows (Because Let’s Be Real…)

Of course, it hasn’t all been gold stars and morning smiles. The first few weeks of term always bring their challenges, and this year is no different. We’ve seen a worrying number of students with absence in weeks 1 and 2 and as any attendance professional will know, DfE data shows that students who miss school in the first week are more than 50% more likely to become persistently absent (PA) over the year. That stat alone should give us all pause.

Whilst some absences have been for valid reasons, we’ve also seen patterns that need to be addressed early: anxiety, disengagement, and unfortunately, a few families treating September as an optional warm-up rather than a hard start.

It’s in these moments where our work really kicks in – supporting schools to not just chase absence, but to understand it, to reach out early, and to help students re-engage. A missed day might not feel like much in the moment, but the ripple effect can be huge.

Supporting Students: Rebuilding Routines and Reassurance

The return to school can be a bumpy one, especially for students who may already have complex relationships with attendance. That’s why we’re so passionate about the welcome back approach. No guilt trips, no lectures – just a warm, consistent message: You were missed, and we’re glad you’re here.

Looking Ahead

As we move past the “start-up” phase of the term, now is the time to double down on the habits and systems we’ve begun building. Early intervention is only effective if it’s sustained. We’re helping schools dig into their data, spot those early warning signs, and crucially, act on them.

We’ll continue to support schools to monitor trends, share best practice, and to make sure this year isn’t just a good start, but a strong and steady one. Because in the attendance world, consistency beats perfection every time.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Let’s keep asking the right questions about absence. And above all – let’s keep showing up.