Attendance & Punctuality

Why Attendance Matters

Good attendance is fundamental to bringing out the best in everyone across United Learning academies.

This framework brings together evidence‑based attendance strategies and the United Learning Way, ensuring every pupil can fully access our ambitious curriculum and feel a strong sense of belonging. Excellent attendance supports learning, builds positive habits, and reflects our shared commitment to education with character. As part of this approach, we've made some important changes to the morning routine at Fir Vale Academy.

• Gates will open to students at 8:30am 
• Key Stage 3 (Year 7,8 & 9) students will enter via the side entrance.
• Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11) students will enter via the front gate.
• Between 8:30am and 8:45am students will be able to socialise with friends and meet staff in their designated zones.
• At 8:40am students will be met by their tutors for a structured morning line-up that will be called at 8:45am when all students should be through the academy gates.

Our academy day starts at 8:45am, students arriving late (after 8:45am) will enter through the front gate and will be met by staff from the Senior Team, Attendance Team and Child Welfare Officers where they will be both supported and appropriately challenged to ensure they are in school, ready to learn, and making the most of every opportunity.

Supporting Attendance Together

To support pupils, we use our Attendance Booklet, which students and teachers work through together over time. This booklet helps pupils understand why attendance matters, reflect on their own experiences, and identify practical steps to improve. It encourages open conversations, personal responsibility, and positive change, ensuring every pupil feels supported on their journey to better attendance.

Rewarding Excellent Attendance

At Fir Vale Academy, we are proud to celebrate excellent attendance and promote the importance of being in school every day. Regular attendance supports strong progress, positive wellbeing, and a sense of belonging within our school community.

Our Attendance Ambassadors play a key role in setting a positive example, encouraging others and helping to build strong, lasting habits across the school.

Students who achieve 100% attendance are recognised with badges as a symbol of their commitment, and we also celebrate effort through weekly rewards for those who show determination to attend every day. Together, we work to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed.