Our Expectations
Students are expected to attend 100% of their timetabled sessions and arrive on time, properly prepared and ready to learn. We recognise that some students have medical conditions, care needs or other circumstances that may affect attendance, and we aim to support these needs appropriately.
Students must:
- Attend all scheduled lessons and activities
- Arrive punctually for sessions
- Inform the College in advance of any unavoidable absence
- Avoid taking holidays during term time
- Arrange appointments outside college hours where possible
- Catch up on any missed learning with support if needed
Reporting Absence
Absence due to illness or other reasons must be reported by 8:45am on the first and every subsequent day of absence.
This can be done by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 01883 744664
Students should give the reason for absence and how long they expect to be away.
Recording Attendance
Attendance is recorded at every lesson using the College’s management information system. Students may be marked as:
- Present
- Absent
- Absent with Reason
- Late
- Late with Reason
- Therapy
- Work Experience
Students arriving more than five minutes after the session start time are recorded as late. Students are always admitted to lessons, even if late, as excluding students from learning is counter‑productive.
Monitoring and Support
Attendance and punctuality are monitored regularly. Where attendance or punctuality falls below 90% in a month, a student is considered “at risk” and additional support is put in place.
This includes:
- Discussion with a personal tutor
- Co‑produced action plans with clear SMART targets
- Ongoing review and monitoring
- Involvement of parents or carers where appropriate
Support strategies are always developed in partnership with the student
Authorised Absences
Absences are authorised when there is a valid reason and the College is informed in advance where possible. These may include:
- Medical appointments that cannot be rearranged
- Ongoing medical or mental health conditions
- Religious observance
- Bereavement
- Transport disruption
- Driving tests
- Significant caring responsibilities
- Participation in regional or national events
- Visits to other education or training providers
Absences for holidays, leisure activities, part‑time work, birthdays, shopping or driving lessons are not authorised.
External Reporting
Where attendance does not improve despite support, the College has a duty to inform relevant local authorities. Extended absences may trigger a placement review to ensure the student’s needs are being met.
