Excellent attendance, punctuality and commitment to studies are essential for student success. You are expected to achieve 100% attendance, unless there are very good reasons why this cannot be the case. Attendance will be monitored for every part of a student’s learning programme – this includes all subject lessons, tutorial sessions, CoPE, General Studies and complementary activities.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all lessons are attended and that Student Services are informed of any times when you will be absent from college; in these instances appropriate evidence should be provided.

Planned Absence

Students should only plan absences from college if there is no alternative and the reason is a good one. In these circumstances, students will need to provide details to the Student Reception and provide supporting evidence before the event where possible. Where absences cannot be foreseen the student should let college know as soon as possible (but before 10:00am) on the same day.  The following are some examples of reasons for absence which would be acceptable:

• Hospital and Orthodontist appointments that cannot be arranged outside college hours, backed by evidence of an appointment card or a signed complementary slip from the Receptionist
• A family bereavement - in this case a phone call will be acceptable in the first instance followed by a note from a parent/guardian or a responsible adult
• Attendance at a family funeral
• Religious holidays (up to three days per academic year)
• A university visit – either for an interview or an open day (for an interview the university letter is required)
• College related activity
• A career related/job interview (appointment letter must be provided). However, interviews with the College Careers department should be made outside of lesson times
• A work experience placement which is an integral part of a course for which a student does not receive a wage
• Driving test/theory test - appointment letter must be provided
• Severe disruption to a student's mode of transport (eg where a strike means there is no other practical way of getting to college)
• Authorised study leave.

The following reasons for absence would not be authorised:

• Holidays during term time
• Dentist appointment
• Doctors appointment
• Part or full time work
• Driving lessons

Illness

If a student is absent from college due to illness the following procedures should be followed:

All illness must be notified before 10:00 am on the first day of absence at the latest by phoning Student Services on 01977 702139 Ext 382 or email attendance@newcollpont.ac.uk. Telephone callers should state the student name, tutor group and reason for absence and an expected date of return. If a student is unable to return to college on the notified date then another call will be required to advise the College of the continued absence. 

When you ring college you will be provided with a logging number for your call, this is your evidence that you have informed college of your absence. If you do not inform college of your absence before or on the day, the absence will be classed as unauthorised.  If you are in receipt of EMA, this will result in your weekly paymenbt being stopped.

In the case of any dispute over an absence phone call, if the logging number cannot be provided by a student, the absence will be classed as unauthorised.

You may wish to contact your Personal Tutor in addition to this to discuss any implications of your absence, as it may be that additional support can be offered.

If students cannot attend an exam, college must be notified before the exam is due to start.

If a student needs to go home partway through the day due to illness, they must sign out in Student Services before leaving college.

EMA can be paid where a student is absent for a number of days due to sickness during a week but EMA should not be paid where a student is absent for a full week (but may be paid where a student is continuing to study at home during a long-term illness and is progressing with their work).