Student Attendance, Punctuality and Absence Policy 2026 27

Aim: To clarify the expectations in terms of student attendance/punctuality and the procedures to report absences

1.           Introduction

Attendance is closely linked to academic success and positive progression. At The Sixth Form Bolton, we believe that engaging in high-quality learning experiences is key to outstanding outcomes. To prepare students for employment, our expectations in terms of attendance are aligned to all professional expectations.

Missing just one day a week can result in performing two grades lower across a level three academic programme.

Regular attendance is crucial for safeguarding and wellbeing. Frequent absences can indicate underlying issues or safeguarding concerns. We acknowledge that absences may reflect personal challenges inside or outside college. The college delivers full-time programmes of study designed to be delivered in a classroom situation where students are expected to be physically present. We are not permitted to offer a distance-learning programme, and whilst on a temporary basis it is reasonable for subject teachers and support staff to be flexible with attendance due to ill health, prolonged periods of absence cannot be sustainable.

We comply with the Equality Act 2010 by making reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, ensuring fair treatment through our “Fitness to Study” policy.

This attendance policy clarifies expectations and standardises procedures for managing absences and monitoring attendance.

2.           General principles

Every member of staff has a role to play in promoting, monitoring and supporting students to maintain high levels of attendance and punctuality. Our approach to managing attendance is consistent and structured:

•             High expectations - an unwavering belief that high levels of attendance and punctuality will lead to academic success.

•             Accurate and timely recording so we can monitor effectively, identify patterns early and respond quickly to any concerns.

•             Monitor and use attendance data effectively to identify individual students or groups of students who are underperforming and take appropriate action.

•             Professionally curious - Seek to gain a better understanding of the underlying causes of poor attendance and the challenges students are facing both in and outside college.

Students are expected to attend all lessons, on time, throughout their two years at the College. A register will be taken electronically using the college’s online registration system, at the beginning of every session. This includes lessons, group tutorials, one to one appointments and the skills suite sessions.

3.           Types of absence

There are 3 types of absence:

•             Authorised - E - absence due to an authorised reason as noted in this policy.

•             Known absence C or N - absence due to an internal college reason

•             Unknown absence X - absence where no reason has been reported to the college

Attendance monitoring

Missing education, particularly repeatedly, can have a significant impact on students’ success and act as a vital warning sign of a range of safeguarding risks. Early intervention is necessary to identify and address any underlying issues.

The College monitors student attendance through registers at every lesson and responds to poor or irregular attendance as follows:

a) The student information team will make phone calls to chase unauthorised absences each morning and record the outcome of the phone calls on the student portal.

c) Subject teachers will follow up absences from lessons to check the reason for absence.

d) Progress Coaches will monitor overall attendance of their cohort daily and follow up any students who have missed a full day and the reason for absence is not known within 24 hours. This follow up may involve contact with parents/carers, if appropriate.

e) Progress Coaches will check attendance on a weekly basis to identify any patterns of absence or lateness. These will be addressed in regular one to one appointments.

4.           Dealing with poor attendance and punctuality

Parents will be able to view live attendance data via the parent app. This is the data that all staff see and allows any attendance or punctuality issues arising to be dealt with quickly.

Students must repay their absences to make up any lost learning and will likely be directed to undertake this work in the LRC/study pod where the staff can record hours repaid. Work completed should be handed to the relevant class teacher.

Progress Coaches at college will contact the parents/carers of all students whose attendance or punctuality is causing concern:

a) Students whose attendance or punctuality is causing concern will be set clear and appropriate targets for improvement and will be supported to achieve these targets. This is likely to be via an intervention from their teachers and/or progress Coach and may be agreed in a performance contract.

b) Disciplinary action may be taken in line with the College`s Positive Behaviours and Sanctions Policy

5.           Presume Left - A student may be considered to have left college if they miss three consecutive weeks of classes without reason. This will be confirmed by a presumed left letter sent to the student and their parent(s)/carer(s). Confirmation is then sent to the student and their parent(s)/carer(s) of the removal of the student’s college place, and the local authority is notified.

Reasonable enquiries are made to establish the student’s whereabouts and future plans, in coordination with the local authority. If welfare concerns arise during prolonged absences, the safeguarding team will act according to the safeguarding and child protection policy.

6.           Authorised and unauthorised absences

If the college is notified in advance and appropriate formal evidence provided the college will record an absence as authorised with an A. Such absences will be:

•             Serious illness supported by a doctor’s note

•             Hospital or medical treatments (up to one day)

•             Orthodontist appointments (up to half a day)

•             University open days (up to one day and a maximum of 3)

•             University Interviews and other final career choice interviews.

•             Immediate relative's wedding, graduation or funeral (up to one day)

•             Practical driving test or driving theory test (up to half a day, but not on the same day as college exams) Note: Immediate relatives include parents, grandparents, siblings, and in-laws.

Unauthorised Absences:

•             Sickness that is not supported by a doctor’s note

•             Holidays during term time

•             Routine medical or dental appointments

•             Non-study related work

•             Caring duties for a younger sibling

•             Birthdays or celebrations

•             Driving lessons

Note: The listed examples of authorised and unauthorised absences above are not exhaustive, and other reasons for absence will be considered case by case.

7.           Absence reporting procedure

It is recognised that there may be rare occasions where a student may miss lessons due to genuine illness or other evidenced extenuating circumstances. In such situations, students must follow the daily parental absence telephone call or use the parents app.

At The Sixth Form Bolton, we expect students to let their progress coach and subject teachers know in advance if they are going to be absent from classes due to a proven scheduled appointment.

In the event of illness, The Sixth Form’s absence procedures are:

•             A parent/guardian must telephone The Sixth Form (01204 846215) every day, before 10am (regardless of the start time of the first lesson). It must note that the named student is absent and a reason for student absence. In certain circumstances a medical sick note may be required.

•             You may also report any absence by using the Parent App but again this must be before 10am on the day the absence regardless of the start time of the first lesson.

•             When aware of an absence prior to the actual date (essential medical appointments only) the student must inform their Progress Coach and Student Information in advance. Routine dental or medical appointments should be made outside of lesson times.

•             Proof of absence must be shown to the staff at student Information or to the Progress Coach.  If a student needs to leave The Sixth Form during the day they must go to Student Information and sign out.  This is important in terms of Health and Safety as we need to know who is in the Sixth Form at any given time.

•             Students should also email their progress Coach to advise them of the length of their absence and support needs during their absence.  The learner is to email their subject teachers to get details of any work missed.

In normal circumstances during a period of absence, we expect students to maintain daily email contact with their progress Coach and subject teachers to ensure the student can maintain learning. If the student, parent/carer does not maintain contact, they can expect to receive a phone call from the College via the progress coach team.

8.           Long-term sickness/medical conditions

The college will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to maintain learning during periods of long-term sickness or medical conditions through the Fitness to Study procedures. This will need to be accompanied by an NHS consultants’ letter.

Parents and students will then be invited in for a Fitness to Study meeting to ensure a range of support is in place to make reasonable adjustment for the student during this time.

9.           Punctuality

Punctuality is a fundamental requirement at The Sixth Form, as it allows students to not only achieve their academic potential but also demonstrate a key employability characteristic. Late arrival to class results in missing key lesson objectives and consequent lack of understanding when completing subsequent tasks. Furthermore, a lack of punctuality demonstrates a lack of respect for both teacher and fellow students. As in employment, it is a student’s responsibility to make necessary arrangements to ensure excellent punctuality.

Excellent punctuality is expected for all parts of a student timetable: subject classes, group tutorials, the skills suite in addition to any support workshops they have been referred to. Staff, Students and Parents can view our data related to punctuality in real time, once the portals are operational. All Students with poor punctuality will be dealt with using The Sixth Form’s Positive Behaviours and Sanctions Policy.

Students will be marked late (‘L’ in the register) if they arrive after the start of the lessons, and the number of minutes late to the session will be noted at the time arrival.  Both the L and the minutes can be seen on the parent app/student portal.

10.        Snow and adverse weather procedure

We have very occasionally had to close The Sixth Form due to severe snow. Details of closures for bad weather will be posted on The Sixth Form’s website and advice for students will be emailed to their accounts which are accessible via The Sixth Form website. The Sixth Form website should be the first place to check for information. If you have examinations in periods of adverse weather conditions, it is still almost certain that the examinations will go ahead. Exam boards will not make allowances for adverse weather. It is essential that students make every effort to get into The Sixth Form to sit their examinations as special consideration will not be made in these circumstances.

11.        Absence for Religious Observance

The Sixth Form allows students to request one day off College for Religious observance. Students must telephone the College before 10am on the day in question for the absence to be marked as authorised.

12.        Term time holidays/breaks

The Sixth Form believes that the allocation of 14 weeks’ holiday during the year is sufficient to prevent the need for you to take holidays/breaks/family visits during the College term. Periods of term time absence undermine performance and are not permitted. Parents/carers/guardians and students are reminded not book holidays without checking The Sixth Form’s holiday dates to ensure that bookings will not impact term time.