Attendance
Consistent school attendance is crucial for academic progress and social development. Pupils who attend regularly are more likely to achieve better grades, develop strong friendships, and participate fully in school life.
Our school year consists of 185 days, with approximately 5 hours of learning per day. Even small drops in attendance can result in a significant amount of missed learning time:
Missing school doesn’t just mean missing lessons — it also means missing opportunities to build confidence and independence, develop friendships, practise communication and teamwork and take part in school life beyond the classroom. Being in school consistently, also helps pupils develop strong social skills; working positively with others, managing routines and expectations, building resilience and responsibility and feeling secure in a calm, predictable environment.
Our Attendance Target – 93%
Our school attendance target is 93%. This target reflects the point at which attendance begins to have a noticeable impact on learning, progress and wellbeing. When attendance drops below this level, pupils are more likely to miss key teaching, struggle to keep up with lessons, and lose confidence in their learning.
Our recent attendance figures show steady improvement:
2022/23 – 91%
2023/24 – 92%
2024/25 – 92%
Celebrating Attendance
House Points
Every three weeks, our Heads of House generate attendance reports to recognise pupils who have achieved 100% attendance during that period. Pupils who meet this target are awarded house points. This regular recognition encourages positive habits, consistency and pride in attendance — and helps keep attendance at the heart of school life.
Termly Recognition
Three times each academic year, Form Teachers award additional merits to pupils who achieve full attendance for the entire term. These merits also contribute to our house totals.
Prize Day Recognition – Three Years Full Attendance
Pupils who achieve three years of full attendance are formally recognised on Prize Day. These pupils receive a certificate and an Amazon voucher. This award celebrates exceptional commitment, resilience and consistency over a sustained period of time and highlights attendance as a key achievement.
What our pupils have said about why they enjoy being in school
Additional Support
If your child was unable to attend school for any reason, please email attendance@ljhs.co.uk with their name, form class, reason for absence, and dates. Our school target is 93% attendance, and our Form Teachers and Year Heads work closely with Mrs. Alexander to support pupils to meet or exceed this attendance target. After prolonged absences, Form Teachers or Year Heads may make pastoral calls to offer assistance to the pupil or family.
You may also receive an attendance letter if school believes that a pupil’s attendance has dropped significantly. Teachers at Lurgan Junior High School post work weekly to our main online educational platform, Google Classroom. If for any reason your child is off school, we would sign post parent/guardians to their child’s Google Classroom to get caught up on work missed, as and when they are able. Attendance at Lurgan Junior High School is rewarded on a termly basis. We are committed to every pupil's well-being and value their presence in school daily.
Attendance Co-Ordinator: Mrs J Alexander
Attendance and Pastoral Support Workers: Miss K Cromie and Mr J Patterson
Education Welfare Officer: Mrs K Lappin
Attendance at Lurgan Junior High School
No. of pupils with 100% during the month
September 24 - 367
October 24 - 383
November 24 - 366
December 24 - 233
No of Pupils with 93% or above for the month
September 25 – 523
October 25 – 534
November 25 – 510
December 25 – 348