Students enrol to undertake an agreed programme of study. Your attendance at lessons is the single most important factor in helping your achievement. All students are expected to achieve full attendance.
Less than 90% overall attendance
College cannot accept responsibility for examination entry costs; student to bear the cost of the examination entries. (Fees will be refunded, subject by subject where the student achieves the agreed target grades.)
Less than 85% overall attendance
Progression to an additional year of study within the College will be subject to an interview with the Deputy Principal, Head of Department and Personal Tutor together with the successful submission of a significant piece of project work over the summer vacation.
Less than 80% overall attendance
Continued participation in a programme of study becomes unacceptable – student invited/required to withdraw. If a student withdraws and by withdrawing becomes a part time student, the student would be required to pay for their examination fees.
Reporting Absences
All absences should be reported by telephone to the college by 10:00 am on the first day. Failure to contact college will result in the college contacting you. For absences of more than 1 week you should provide Student Services Reception with a medical certificate.
College Telephone Number: 01942 214797 ask for Student Services
Lateness Procedure
If a student is late for College due to a College bus problem: please complete the Late Bus List which is held at Main Reception.
Students arriving late into College, other than at the start of their day, should report to Student Services Reception.
Unauthorised Absences
Sickness Absence
Sickness will be recorded as UNAUTHORISED (exceptions are listed below).
(Also routine Doctor’s and Dental Appointments will also be recorded as unauthorised).
Holidays in College Term Time
Holidays in term-time will be recorded as UNAUTHORISED; such absences are NOT approved of by the College.
Authorised Absences
Some absences may be classified as authorised and in these cases students will be marked as authorised on College attendance records. Students must gain approval of known absences in ADVANCE.
These will ONLY be approved if the reason for absence is unavoidable, and the evidence has been presented to the Student Services Reception, prior to the date of the absence and an Authorised Absence Form has been completed.
It is the STUDENT'S responsibility to ensure that they are marked appropriately or have presented the Student Services Reception with documentary evidence in advance of any authorised non-attendance.
Absences WILL NOT be approved if documentary evidence of reason for absence is brought into College AFTER the absence has occurred.
Authorised Absences:
- University Open Days (3 maximum)
- Hospital / Orthodontist Appointments/ Serious illness supported by a doctor's note Only *
- Practical Driving Test **
- Bereavement/Funeral
- Religious Holidays
* Doctor's and Dental Appointments will NOT be authorised.
** Driving Lessons will NOT be authorised.
Examinations
Absence from Examinations:
You must attend all exams that are allocated to you on your individual examination timetable. Misreading your timetable will not be accepted as a satisfactory explanation for absence. You will be charged the entry fee if you fail to attend an exam that has been paid for by the college. If you are going to miss an exam due to illness, you must telephone Student Reception on (01942) 214797 as soon as possible on the morning of the exam. Leave a voicemail if no-one answers. A medical certificate / letter must also be given or sent to Claire Woodcock (Exams Officer) within three days of the exam you missed.
IF YOU DON’T DO THIS, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A FEE FOR THE MISSED EXAM EVEN IF YOU WERE ILL.
Examination Fees
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance states that Colleges are legally able to charge for examinations and re-sits as follows:
- Where the required attendance or completion of work has not been achieved
- Where the student fails without good reason to sit the examination for which the college has paid.
Your attendance will be monitored and reported upon throughout the year. If at the end of the Autumn Term (December 31st) your overall attendance is below 90% the College will require a £25 refundable deposit for each subject. This must be paid by the end of January to secure your summer examination entry. Failure to pay will jeopardise your place at College.
Authorised absence request forms are available from Student Services Reception. Completed forms must be handed in to the student information centre with documentary evidence, in person.