Learner Attendance and Punctuality Policy appendices
Appendix A
FE Learner Guidelines - Attendance and Absence
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19) notify HTAE by contacting reception or by phoning 01482 615 349 and stay at home until you have been tested.
All Learners are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements of their Course and of HTAE. This attendance policy requires each Learner to be marked present at each timetabled session. This includes practical and workshops. Failure to attend may result in the non-payment of any attendance related payment scheme.
Learners who are sick or otherwise unable to attend timetabled classes should notify HTAE by 9.00am on the day of absence.
You can call HTAE direct on 01482 615 349.
You must report every day that you are ill. It is important that reasons for absence of up to one week, must, upon return, be supported by a signed self-certification form (available from your tutor).
An absence of between 3 and 7 days must also be supported by a letter from a parent/guardian or doctor.
If the claimed reason for absence could be foreseen, then the Learner must apply for authorised absence at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in the absence being recorded as unauthorised. You will be contacted on each unauthorised absence that is noted on registers, consistent absence or lateness will result in a ‘cause for concern’ being raised.
Parents / carers of learners under the age of 18 will also be notified.
Accepted absences which can be foreseen in advance -
- A medical appointment which cannot be arranged outside HTAE hours
- Occasional care for a person for whom the Learner has a definite caring responsibility
- A religious holiday
- Appointment with a Careers Adviser. (Should normally avoid disruption to studies)
- Unwaged work-experience placement relative to course
- Occasional extra-curricular activity giving significant personal achievement, including field trips and visits related to areas of study; sports fixtures and expeditions
- Attendance at a funeral
- Attendance at a probation meeting
- Severe disruption to transport, e.g. rail strike
- A driving test
Absences not acceptable (This list is not exhaustive) -
- Holidays
- Part or full time work which is not part of the Learner’s programme of study
- Leisure activities
- Birthdays or similar celebrations
- Babysitting younger siblings
- Shopping
- Driving lessons
- Lateness exceeding 15 minutes
- Acceptable unforeseen absences - if HTAE notified on the day
- An emergency family situation
- Transport problems, with no alternative means to hand
- Isolated periods of genuine sickness. Up to 3 days self-certification by Learner, between 3 and 7 days with parental or medical written notification. Over 7 days a medical certificate is required
Learners should note that the provision of inaccurate or false information may, depending upon circumstances, be treated as gross misconduct and may result in disciplinary action being taken. Attendance related payments may also be recovered.
Appendix B
Monitoring of non-attendance for study programme learners and apprentices (including English and maths) -
- Electronic and/or first day response calling will be used; Curriculum manager to facilitates responsibility of member of staff to contact learners/parents/carers
- Standard letters home asking for reasons for absence will be used where no reasons are provided after 3 consecutive absences. Update Pro Monitor for audit trail purposes
- Standard letters will be sent where attendance is a concern in liaison with the Tutor/curriculum; Barriers to learning will be identified and offers of support
- Systematic checking of attendance of specific learners selected because of previous history, or whose attendance gives cause for concern
- Persistent absence (PA) figures will be monitored
- Key worker meetings will be in place for all learners with less than 90% attendance. Curriculum manager to liaise with English and maths leads/SENDCO where attendance is a concern
- Actions from key worker meetings will be added to the attendance plan and uploaded onto Pro Monitor
After all the above have been proven to be put into place, the decision by Head of Service to make the learner who is not attending a leaver. Learners must not be made a leaver without notifying the Head of Service.