Attendance and The School Day
Excellent attendance and punctuality is a school priority and our designated Senior Attendance Champion, Dr Maria Marchesini, Assistant Headteacher, has responsibility for:
- implementing the attendance policy
- championing and recognising excellent and improved student attendance
- improving the attendance and punctuality of students where there are causes for concern.
Coming to school every day is important for your child's future – both for social and academic progress but also as good preparation for the world of work. Parents and carers are responsible for making sure their children receive full-time education by going to school. Being in school gives children the very best start in life; it enables them to develop friendships, social skills, team values, life skills, cultural awareness, and career pathways. It is also directly linked to improved academic performance, further learning opportunities and good job prospects.
At Invicta, gates open at 7.45am. At 8.40am, registers are taken and students arriving after this time will be marked as late.
If your child is absent from school, you must notify the school office by telephone or email attendance@invicta.viat.org.uk of the reason for the absence by 9am and confirm the reason for absence by email or letter when your child returns to school. If your child is ill, it is important that you call the school on the first day, and each subsequent day, to notify us of the reason for the absence.
Students should return to school when they are well enough to continue their studies, with an aim to reduce the number of hours of lost learning. Repeated lateness or absence will be followed up by the Head of Year and Inclusion Team.
For medical or dental appointments, we request that these take place outside the school day. If this is not possible, we ask that you inform the school at the earliest opportunity. You may be asked to provide a copy of your appointment confirmation. Children will not be released from school during school hours without an advance request notification.
Holidays are not permitted during term time and any other requested absences will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. All requests must be made in writing giving full details attendance@invicta.viat.org.uk
Poor school attendance has a direct impact on attainment as well as social and emotional development. Every moment in school counts, and days missed add up quickly. For example, a child in Year 10 who is absent for three days over a half term could miss 15 lessons in total. The higher a student’s attendance, the more they are likely to learn, and the better they are likely to perform in exams and formal assessments.
Punctuality to school and lessons is also very important and we expect students to take responsibility for their timekeeping. The timings of the school day are:
| 08:40 - 09:00 | Registration/Assembly |
| 09:00 - 10:00 | Period 1 |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | Period 2 |
| 11:00 - 11:20 | Break |
| 11:20 - 12:20 | Period 3 |
| 12:20 - 13:20 | Period 4 |
| 13.20 - 14:15 | Lunch |
| 14:20 - 15:20 | Period 5 |
| 15:20 | Schools Ends |
| 15:20 - 16:30 | Optional extra-curricular |
We recognise and celebrate good and improved attendance at school by certificates, letters and celebration events.
If parents/carers are struggling with any aspect of attendance, we would like to know, so that we can support you in the best way we can. Please do not be afraid to ask us for advice and support. If you have any questions or wish to discuss attendance, please contact your child’s Form Tutor, Head of Year or relevant Year Group Administrator.
Thank you in advance for supporting our drive for excellent attendance and punctuality.
