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Pupil attendance rates throughout Wales continue to lag behind the figures recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic, yet Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili stands out by achieving nearly flawless attendance. For the opening month of the current academic year, the Welsh-medium primary school reported an attendance rate of 98.2%. According to headteacher Lynn Griffiths, a considerable majority—around 90%—of pupils from Years 3 to 6 regularly take part in various extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, and chess clubs, which contribute positively to their confidence and self-esteem.
At Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili, which educates approximately 440 pupils, over 200 students engage in at least one extracurricular program. These activities range from chess and literacy to modern foreign languages and sports, providing children with a chance to represent their school. Griffiths explained that this involvement fosters a sense of self-worth, with many children motivated to attend school even if they are feeling under the weather. He added that the school no longer awards certificates for perfect attendance, following parental feedback, although weekly attendance data for each class are published on the school’s website. Absences for holidays are typically not permitted during the first half-term, but there is some flexibility afterward.
Griffiths, who shares the leadership role at the school with Eleri Jones, noted that no single factor is responsible for the school’s high attendance. Instead, success is attributed to high-quality teaching and strong relationships among staff, parents, and pupils. For some families, ongoing communication is essential to address specific needs, ensuring children feel comfortable attending school. Meanwhile, wellbeing officer Rachel Warden emphasized the importance of maintaining parent links throughout the year, not just when problems arise, noting that most attendance issues can be resolved quickly. From the pupils’ perspective, the school is a place where they enjoy having fun and engaging activities, including dog therapy sessions that help provide relaxation.
Wales as a whole recorded an average school attendance rate of 90.9% in the 2024-25 academic year. Although this is an improvement compared with the previous year, it still falls short of the 94.3% attendance seen before the pandemic in 2018-19. Primary schools boast higher attendance numbers than secondary schools, with the current year’s rates at 93.4% and 90.3%, respectively. Concerns remain regarding attendance among children eligible for free school meals and persistent absenteeism, defined as missing over 10% of school sessions. Inspectorate Estyn has described secondary school attendance as “stubbornly low,” cautioning that at the current pace, returning to pre-pandemic attendance levels could take over a decade. Education Secretary Lynne Neagle highlighted Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili as an example of effective support combined with community engagement, pointing out that £7 million in funding is being allocated to help children re-engage with education.
Parents shared their views reflecting on attendance challenges, with some noting that term-time holidays are sometimes unavoidable due to financial constraints. One parent from Glynneath expressed that taking a week off for holidays is acceptable when balancing work and family needs. Others noted the difficulties of managing attendance with medical issues and stressed the importance of schools showing understanding. Another parent emphasized that children attend daily unless genuinely unwell, echoing a traditional commitment to regular school attendance. While schools may issue fixed penalty notices for non-attendance when necessary, the preference at Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili is to collaborate with families. Griffiths explained that, where holidays are unavoidable, the school offers resources such as reading materials and access to Google Classroom, encouraging pupils to share their holiday experiences with classmates to maintain their sense of belonging
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