Trafford College

Miss it, miss out...

Your attendance at lessons is the single most important factor in helping you achieve. When you enrol to undertake an agreed programme of study you are expected to achieve 100% attendance. Familiarise yourself with the procedures below to ensure you get the most out of College.

1. Policy

1. The Student Attendance Policy is intended to assist the College to enable our learners to achieve their full potential.
2. We believe the College has a duty to follow up promptly on matters of unauthorised absence so that learners can be supported and given every opportunity to succeed.
3. The Student Attendance Policy relates to all full time College courses.
4. 100% attendance at all classes is compulsory, unless authorised by the tutor. This includes Functional Skills, Key Skills, GCSE and Tutorials.
5. Learners must arrive on time for classes. Late arrival causes disruption to other class members and is unfair to the tutor.
6. Any absence from classes must be notified through the appropriate channels, followed up by the submission of the appropriate certification /letter within 1 week of your absence.
7. Students whose absence continually falls below the expected College standard, despite appropriate warnings will be followed up as part of the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

2. Reporting Absence

1. All absences should be reported by telephone to the College by 9.00am on the first day.
2. Failure to contact the College will result in the College contacting you.
3. For sickness absences of 1 week or more you should provide your Personal Tutor with a medical certificate.

   Contact Telephone Numbers

   A Levels
   Contact Paula Paxton on
   0161 952 4731

   Altrincham
   Contact Customer Services on
   0161 952 4687

   Technology Centre
   Contact Customer Services on
   0161 886 7134

   Talbot Road
   Contact Customer Services on
   0161 886 7070

   Manchester Music Base
   Contact Customer Services on
   0161 886 7481

3. Lateness Procedure

1. If a student is more than 15 minutes late for any lesson, they should report to Customer Services and complete the ‘Exceptionally Late Register – Permission to enter class’ before attending lessons.

4. Authorised Absences

1. Some absences may be classified as authorised and in these cases students will be marked as authorised on College attendance records. Students must gain approval of known absences in advance.
2. These will only be approved if the reason for absence is unavoidable and the evidence has been provided to your Personal Tutor and an approved Absence Form completed.
3. Types of absence that maybe authorised, with required documentation:
   • Isolated, genuine sickness (tutors discretion – letter required)
   • Driving Test (not lessons) (copy of test letter)
   • Hospital, dental emergency appointments if cannot be made outside College time (appointment card / letter)
   • University Open Days / interviews (copy of letter)
   • Appointment with Connexions / Careers, if appointment cannot be made outside College time (copy of appointment card/letter)
   • Religious Holidays (maximum of 2 days per year)
   • Attendance at Youth Offending/Probation meeting or Court Appearance (letter)
   • Funeral
   • Severe disruption to mode of transport (e.g. Public Transport)
   • Territorial Army / Army • Cadets (relevant evidence)
   • Sitting an external examination (copy of exam form)
   • Work experience organised by the College (tutor confirmation)
   • Representing the College at a sports event or College organised trip (tutor confirmation)

5. Unauthorised Absences

1. Absences that cannot be authorised:
   • Holidays
   • Part-time/Full-time work (unless an official part of the course)
   • Leisure activities
   • Child minding, including younger siblings
   • Birthdays or other celebrations
   • Shopping
   • Driving lessons
   • Routine dental or optical appointments
   • Interviews for part-time work

6. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) / Adult Learning Grant (ALG)

1. To receive your weekly EMA/ALG payments you must:
   • Adhere to the College Attendance Policy
   • Make good progress as set out in your Learning Plan / goals
   • Maintain a good standard of behaviour
2. The College will:
   • Check attendance each week that EMA/ALG is due
   • Submit the payment decisions to the EMA Awarding Body by each Tuesday if all registers are marked so that the money is in the bank by Friday
   • Inform you by letter if you are not being paid
   • Process all absence letters as soon as possible- once a payment decision has been changed it takes 3 working days to reach the bank account
3. Important things to remember:
   • EMA/ALG is only paid during term time – you do not get paid for College holiday weeks
   • EMA/ALG is paid one week in arrears
   • EMA/ALG is NOT payable if you take holiday during term time
   • EMA/ALG is NOT payable if you work during College time
4. Bonuses (EMA only) You maybe entitled to a bonus in January and July (£100 each) – this depends on you making good progress, keeping up-to-date with your work, good behaviour and a good attendance record. Students on a disciplinary will not normally receive bonuses.
5. Appeals. If you wish to appeal against a weekly payment decision or bonus decision please contact Customer Services at the site you attend – an appeal form is available.

Please note: Due to the number of timetable and register changes at the start of the academic year (September) it may not be possible to pay the EMA/ALG on time during the first few weeks of term. The payments will be dealt with as soon as possible and we will notify you via tutors when we are ready to start paying and we will ensure that back payments are made.

If you receive your EMA/ALG notice of entitlement after the start of term please take it to Customer Services at the site you attend as soon as possible.

To download a copy of the attendance policy click here.