HERTFORD REGIONAL COLLEGE ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY POLICY STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE Good attendance and punctuality is fundamental to the

achievement and success of learners. This means that unless there are particular circumstances to prevent it, a learner should attend every required class, and be on time on every occasion. STATEMENT OF POLICY FOR FULL TIME LEARNERS Where absence and/or lateness occurs, and where there are no known circumstances to prevent full attendance and punctuality, the College will take appropriate action with the learner or the learners parents/ guardian or sponsor to bring about improvement. This may affect EMA/ALG payments, and may mean progressive disciplinary action resulting in exclusion if the absence or lateness persists. ATTENDANCE MONITORING Each Department has a designated member(s) of staff who will work with the Personal Tutors and learners to reduce unauthorised absence and lateness. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this Policy and Procedure the following are the working definitions used for student attendance and punctuality: Unauthorised absence is defined as missing a lesson or lessons without contacting the College prior to the absence, or normally before 10.00a.m on the day of the absence. Authorised absence is defined as having approval in advance from the Personal Tutor to be away from an agreed lesson (or lessons if the absence is for more than a single morning or afternoon session). Requests for approval of absence should usually be a written confirmation of appointment or similar, or a written note from the parent, guardian or sponsor. Notified absence is defined as making contact by e mail, phone or personal message about absence or sickness, normally before 10.00am. Notification of absence or unavoidable absence should normally be by the parent / guardian/ sponsor or learner, on each day of absence. Lateness is defined as arriving after the scheduled start time of the lesson. Learners should always be admitted to lessons, even if late. Unavoidable lateness is when the College is aware there have been public transport or road disruptions. Lateness may also be negotiated with individual learners on the grounds of a genuine and unavoidable reason. Unacceptable lateness is arriving late without a reason. Blaming transport is not usually a reason unless the College is aware of the particular transport problem given. 1. EXPECTATIONS Expected attendance is 100%. It is recognised that there may be valid reasons why learners are unable to meet this target. Unsatisfactory attendance is below 95%. Any learner who is absent for four consecutive lessons or days will appear on the 4 As report. Distance travelled to College or late night or part time employment are not acceptable reasons for absence or lateness. The learner must take into consideration the ease or difficulty of travel to

College, and their personal financial circumstances before enrolling. Once enrolled, we consider a commitment has been made. If attendance is below 95% it may not necessarily be defined as unsatisfactory if the reasons are acceptable to the College and a realistic work recovery plan has been agreed with the Personal Tutor and the teaching staff.

2. ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE
Registers will be kept for every lesson. If not marked immediately using the WAM (web attendance marking) system, they must be completed promptly.

Unauthorised absence may result in a phone call or letter to the parent / carer or sponsor. Unauthorised absence is normally one day or one lesson; unauthorised absences of more than one day may result in disciplinary action being taken. Poor punctuality, lateness and absence will be dealt with through the tutorial process, and could lead to disciplinary action. All information relating to attendance will be kept on learner records and may be used to provide support, or in disciplinaries. Absence and lateness will affect EMA and ALG payments. See EMA and ALG guidance November 2007 November 2010 Learners Services Manager Yes/No Give date 5th October 2007

Date approved by Academic Board (with recommended changes) Date to be reviewed Person responsible Has this document been risk assessed for Equality and Diversity?