ATTENDANCE,PUNCTUALITYAND PROCEDURE

Introduction

WAES believes that high levels of attendance and punctuality contribute toward raising the quality and achievement across all provision. Learners are most likely to complete and achieve their qualification if they attend all their classes.Learners who arrive late have an impact not just on their own learning but also on the progress of the rest of the class. High expectations of attendance and punctuality will also be required by future employers. We need our staff to establish and maintainhigh expectations of attendance and punctuality, and our learners to meet these expectations. This policy should be read in conjunction with the Register Policy and the Learning & BehaviourPolicy (LBP).

Ethos & Aims

The aim of this policy is to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of learner attendance in all areas of WAES and to ensure that all learners understand their attendance requirements. WAES aims to improve attendance and punctuality through:

  • promoting a culture where excellent attendance and punctuality is the norm.
  • raising awareness amongst all learners, staff, employers (where appropriate) and parents or carers of the importance of consistentattendance and punctuality.
  • the provision of specific rules relating to the management of attendance and punctuality and the use of target setting to improve poor performance.
  • early intervention by tutors where the punctuality and attendance of a learner are Cause for Concern
  • setting and monitoring targets for attendance and punctuality at course level
  • providing central support for tutors in the effective monitoring of attendance and punctuality

Scope

Responsibility

Learner responsibilities in relation to attendance are included in the Learner Handbook. WAES’ procedures and rules relating to attendance and punctuality form an integral part of learner induction programmes.

Induction

Induction programmes should cover:

  • the goal of 100% attendance
  • the rules relating to acceptable absence;
  • definitions of unacceptable absence and implications for withdrawal;
  • the implications of poor attendance on the completion of assignments;examination entries and references.

Main Principles

  • The expectation is for 100% ‘present’ at all scheduled classes. Learners to be in class ready for the start of their lessons.
  • Learners to know their own attendance levels, the review and reporting of attendance process as part of the LBP.
  • The measure of attendance will be ‘present’ only.
  • In order to reduce the amount of time learners are not in class, either fromsickness or for other reasons, there will be a consistent process to monitor, follow up and report on attendance.
  • Learner absence to be followed up by the course tutor
  • Lateness ege.g.5 minutes after the start of the class will be recorded on the register, repeated lateness will lead to the implementation of the LBP ‘Cause for Concern’ (see LBP)
  • There will be clear consequences for learners whose attendance or punctuality falls below agreed levels.
  • Where a learner is absent more than three times in a row without acceptable reason for absence they will be removed from the course. Conversely high attendance will be recognised and rewarded.
  • Attendance and punctuality monitoring is part of WAES quality process.
  • Responsibility for achieving high levels of attendance and punctuality lies with course team leaders and course tutors.

Acceptable absence

It is expected that where a learner is absent, they will inform the tutor and provide a reason for their absence.

Acceptable reasons for absence may include:

  • attendance at a funeral of a close relative.
  • attendance at court or probation.
  • pregnancy (e.g. attendance at antenatal clinics).
  • attendance at religious festivals if notified in advance.
  • other absences deemed acceptable e.g. unavoidable, and of which WAES

has been notified.

Unacceptable reasons for absence may include:

  • absence for holidays, part or full time work, birthdays or other celebrations, shopping, leisure activities will not be considered reasonable.
  • learners will be advised that holidays booked during term time may have an impact on an examining and/or funding body’s minimum attendance requirement and is considered unacceptable by WAES.
  • learners are encouraged to keep dental and doctor’s appointments to an absolute minimum during class times.
  • learners need to be aware that staff may ask them to substantiate their absence, e.g. show appointment cards etc.
  • learners are informed at induction that all absence will be recorded and followed up (see learning and behaviour policy)

Recording attendance and punctuality

  • All course tutors are required to maintain accurate registers that reflect the attendance and punctuality of all learners in accordance with WAESprocedures and Skills Funding Agency policy.
  • All tutors will follow-up absences as soon as possible.
  • During the induction process tutorswill outline the ‘lateness monitoring process’ to their learners. If a learner is 5 minutes or more late for the start of class, they will be recorded as late on the register. The tutor will challenge continued late arrival through the implementationof theLearning and Behaviour Policy.
  • If a learner on a work based learning programme has failed to attend, staff should report non-attendance to the learner’s employer/placement provider. The same procedure must be implemented if a work based learner [including apprentices] is late for a training session.

Review

This policy was reviewed by the Quality Manager in March 2015February 2016.

This policy must be read in conjunction with the Learning & Behaviour Policy and the Withdrawal Policy

For further information on this or other WAES policies please contact the Quality Manager.