There were many factors that affected attendance. As early as 1877 there are mentions in the log book of attendance. Harvesting would keep children away as would bad weather. Sickness was also a major influence throughout the school's existence. The log books show that illnesses such as scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, measles, influenza, bad coughs, blisters, chilled feet, sore throats, sore heads, chilblains, ringworm, breaking out skin and mumps would keep children away from school. There was a whooping cough outbreak in October 1877 which led to the death of one of the pupils. By the 1880's the single schoolroom was very crowded making ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. In April 1886 there was a widespread outbreak of measles which kept the school closed until the easter holidays as the attendance numbers had dropped from 100 to below 20. Records show that 9 young children died between April and July 1886. Attendance and numbers were always a big issue as irregular attendance often kept children backwards. In the early years the pupil teacher was sent around the village to enquire about absent children. Later these would be reported to the Attendance Officer. Attendance would have improved when the Free Education Act came into force in 1891 and children no longer needed their school pence. Attendance also improved once attendance holidays and prizes for good attendance were given.

The school would be closed for a holiday if it was needed for any village event. Children would be given either half a day or a whole days holiday depending on the occasion for example: 20/04/1899 - a days holiday was given for Margaret Primrose's wedding, a tea was given for the children. On 16/09/1907 - half a days holiday given, Wingrave besieged by mounted soldiers. The school was also closed from 20/06/1902 for Coronation week.

The regular holidays given were:

Easter just over a week to become two weeks
Whitsun logged in 1877 "very few children present due to Whitsuntide holidays". This eventually became an annual holiday of 1 to 2 days and later to a week.
Village feast annual day off in July
Summer treat annual half day off in July - special tea from Lady Rosebery
Mentmore flower show annual half day in August where girls showed their needlework
Harvest holidays 5 weeks mid August to September to become 6 weeks
Christmas two weeks

Although there was no official 'May Day' children often stayed away from school to go around the village with their May garlands. In 1899 and 1902 May Day was given as a holiday. In the following years they did not have to be at school until 9.30am on May Day. This later start seemed to solve the problem of absentees on 'May Day' as recorded in the log of 1913 "not a child late or stayed away".