Birkenhead Sixth Form College Student Attendance and Punctuality Procedure Introduction It is a College Core Requirement that all students attend all classes punctually. This gives students the best opportunity to be successful in their studies as good attendance is directly linked to good attainment. 2 weeks absence has been shown to result in a drop of 1 whole grade at A-level. Students should remember that their attendance is always required on references for universities and employers. Definitions of attendance:
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100% Good 99-95% Acceptable Less than 95% Below Expectations
Action required in the event of absence If students need to miss a lesson, they or their parent/guardian should inform the College Attendance Office in advance of any unavoidable planned absence by emailing them on attend@bsfc.ac.uk and/or telephoning on 0151 652 5575. Rewarding good attendance Most students at the college have excellent attendance. The greatest reward for this is academic success. Students with good attendance will also be recognized in tutorials. Authorised and unauthorised absence Students are expected to maintain 100% attendance and punctuality through the year. The college is not able to authorise holiday in term time. Students taking holiday in term time put their achievement at risk. Routine medical and dental appointments are also not permitted reasons to be absent and will be recorded as unauthorised. The following list gives some examples of situations where an absence may be authorised if they are believed to be genuine and unavoidable: • Diagnosed medical conditions that require ongoing/regular hospital treatment • Family bereavements of a close relative • Religious Holidays and designated Religious Festivals • Driving test but not driving lessons Authorised absence (C) is a neutral mark on the register and does not contribute to cumulative attendance. The following progression related activity will be recorded as an authorized Educational Absence (E) if the college is notified in advance with evidence: • Participating in a significant extra-curricular activity, such as an Educational Trip • University open days, university or career related interviews Educational absence (E) is a positive mark on the register. Request for Absence If a student knows in advance that they will be absent, they must notify the Attendance Office in writing on attend@bsfc.ac.uk and the Attendance Officers will record this absence on sapien and on the register as Notified Absence (N) which is unauthorised. Any student notifying holiday absence must do so in writing to the Principal’s PA. This will be recorded as Holiday (H) and will not be treated as an authorized absence.
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