At Cambridge School of Bucharest, we know that a child’s time in school is short, but its impact is lifelong. The school experience is built on friendships formed, discoveries made, and memories built. One of the simplest, yet most powerful was to make the most of school is also the most obvious: show up.
Why Attendance Matters
When students attend regularly, they thrive—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. Being present allows them to participate fully in lessons, develop friendships, take part in creative events, and build the confidence that comes from being part of a community.
Even small drops in attendance can have a big impact. UK studies show that children with just 90% attendance are significantly less likely to succeed in national exams. At CSB, our own data confirms that students with high attendance consistently perform better in IGCSE and A Level exams.
Attendance isn’t just about the older years. These habits and outcomes start from Nursery.
How Absence Adds Up
A surprising number of lessons are lost through small drops in attendance. Here’s how it breaks down:
| Attendance during one school year | Equals this number of days absent | Which means this number of lessons missed |
| 95% | 9 days | 50 lessons |
| 90% | 19 days | 100 lessons |
| 85% | 29 days | 150 lessons |
| 80% | 38 days | 200 lessons |
A student averaging 80% attendance each year will have missed the equivalent of an entire school year over the course of their education. That is a full year of learning, guidance, opportunities, and connection—lost. Unsurprisingly, this significantly lowers their chances of achieving strong academic outcomes.
The Academic Advantage
There is a clear and direct correlation between high attendance and strong academic outcomes. Internal data at Cambridge School of Bucharest reveals that students with consistent attendance perform significantly better in their IGCSE and A Level examinations compared to peers with frequent absences.
Students who attend lessons consistently are able to:
- Engage with the curriculum in sequence, building knowledge steadily rather than playing catch-up.
- Ask questions in real time, benefiting from teacher feedback and class discussion.
- Participate in practical and group-based work, which often cannot be replicated in homework or self-study.
- Benefit from teacher guidance, clarification of expectations, and encouragement to aim higher.
In England, pupils with 95 to 100 percent attendance in Year 11 are nearly twice as likely to achieve a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs compared with those attending 90 to 95 percent. Missing only ten school days can cut these chances by around half. At Key Stage 2, pupils with high attendance are 1.3 times more likely to reach the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths compared with peers attending less often (Schools Week, 2025).
Further analysis highlights the risks of very low attendance. Pupils attending less than 85 percent of the time are the most affected. National data indicates that around 90 percent of these pupils fail to achieve five or more good GCSEs, and nearly one-third finish compulsory education without any GCSEs at all (Department for Education, 2025)
School is More Than Just Lessons
Academic rigour is just one part of what makes CSB special. We believe in a holistic educational experience. Regular attendance means students enjoy:
- House Days, which build teamwork and belonging
- Dress-up days, that spark imagination and fun
- Performances and projects, where students shine
- STEAM, sports, and arts events, which support curiosity and creativity
When students miss school, they also miss these joyful moments that form the fabric of their school memories—and these are the moments that often stay with them most.
Social Development and Confidence
Friendships are made in corridors, in playgrounds, on trips, and during shared challenges. Students who attend consistently feel more connected, more secure, and more confident. They communicate better, take more risks in learning, and develop resilience that carries them far beyond the classroom.
Research shows that regular attendance also protects mental health, helping children develop routine, structure, and a sense of identity. Frequent absence, especially when unaddressed, is linked to lower life satisfaction and higher psychological distress over time.
Building Habits for Life
Perhaps one of the most important lessons regular school attendance teaches is reliability. Turning up consistently—even when it’s cold or rainy, or when motivation is low—builds discipline and a sense of responsibility. These habits translate directly into later success in university and employment.
A student who learns to be punctual, dependable, and committed to their goals has already begun laying the foundation for future achievement.
A Final Word to Parents and Guardians
Every time you support your child to attend school, you’re reinforcing the message that learning matters—and that they matter. Whether they’re in Nursery or preparing for their final exams, your encouragement makes a difference.
Together, let’s ensure every student at Cambridge School of Bucharest gets the most out of their school experience—academically, emotionally, and socially. Because school doesn’t last forever, but the habits, memories, and impact of showing up will last a lifetime.