Regular attendance is a key part of student success at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.
We expect all students to attend their timetabled lessons and understand that, in some circumstances, absence may be unavoidable.
This page explains how to report an absence and outlines attendance expectations and procedures to support students throughout their time at college.
Reporting an absence
If a student is unable to attend college, their absence must be reported as soon as possible.
Absences should be reported before the start of the college day wherever possible and must include:
- The student’s name
- The reason for absence
- Expected duration of absence
Absences must be reported correctly to ensure:
- Student safety
- Accurate attendance records
- Appropriate support can be provided
Automatic notifications may be sent to students and their primary contact if lessons are missed and the absence has not been reported correctly.
Attendance at St Brendan's
We expect all students to attend all lessons on their timetable, including:
- Tutorials
- RPE
- English/Maths Plus
- Grade Boost / Progress to Success
These are compulsory for all students.
Attendance expectations
Students must:
- Attend all scheduled lessons
- Arrive on time
- Be available during the full college day (Monday to Friday, 8:55am–4:00pm)
Timetables may change throughout the year, so students should not commit to part-time work or other regular activities during college hours.
Attendance monitoring
Attendance is carefully monitored across all aspects of a student’s timetable.
Research shows a strong link between high attendance and student success, so maintaining good attendance is essential.
If a student’s overall attendance drops below 90%, intervention processes may be put in place to provide support and address concerns.
How attendance is calculated
Attendance is based on:
Number of lessons attended ÷ total lessons × 100
Students can view their attendance using ProPortal, where each lesson is recorded individually.
Authorised and unauthorised absences
Absences will only be authorised where:
- The reason is unavoidable
- Evidence is provided in advance
The following may be authorised if appropriate evidence is provided:
| Reason for Absence | Evidence Required | Evidence Must Include |
|---|---|---|
| University Open Day (max 3/year) | Email or ticket | Student name and date |
| University / Apprenticeship Interview | Email or letter | Name, date, time |
| Hospital Appointment | NHS letter | Name, date, time |
| Orthodontist Appointment | Letter / Email / SMS | Name, date, time |
| Practical Driving Test (max 2) | DVLA email | Name, date, time |
| Sporting Event | Email or letter | Name, date, time |
| Part-time Job Interview | Email or letter | Name, date, time |
| Bereavement | Reported by parent/carer | N/A |
| Funeral | Reported by parent/carer | N/A |
If evidence is not provided, the absence will affect attendance.
Need to report an absence or ask a question?
- Report absences as early as possible
- Provide full details and evidence where needed
- Get in touch if you need support
Leaving college during the day
Students are expected to remain on site during timetabled lessons.
Students may leave college during free periods but should:
- Remain on campus where possible
- Use spaces such as Café Max, Café Min or the Library Resource Centre
If a student needs to leave during scheduled lesson time, they must:
- Visit B5 (College Nurse) or C5 (Progress Tutor Office)
- Sign out in person
If a student feels unwell, they should speak to a member of staff before leaving.
Holidays during term time
Students are expected to attend college during term time.
Holidays should not be taken during term time as this can have a significant impact on learning and progress.
If there are exceptional circumstances, these should:
- Be discussed with the College in advance
- Be clearly explained
Need to request additional holiday?
Any absence during term time may be recorded as unauthorised unless agreed otherwise.
Maintaining attendance is important to ensure students do not miss key learning.
If your teacher is absent
If a teacher is absent, students will be informed about what they need to do.
This may include:
- Attending an alternative lesson
- Completing independent study
- Following instructions provided by staff
Students are expected to remain in college and continue their learning as directed. This ensures that learning continues and that time is used productively.
Supporting attendance
We are committed to supporting students to maintain good attendance.
If there are any concerns that may affect attendance, students and families are encouraged to speak to the College as early as possible.
Support may include:
- Guidance from pastoral staff
- Help managing workload or personal circumstances
- Signposting to additional support services
Our aim is to help every student feel supported and able to attend regularly.
Working together
Maintaining good attendance is a shared responsibility between students, parents or carers and the College.
By working together, we can ensure students are supported, safe and able to achieve their full potential at St Brendan’s.
Need to report an absence or ask a question?
- Report absences as early as possible
- Provide full details and evidence where needed
- Get in touch if you need support
Unauthorised absences
The following will be recorded as unauthorised and will affect attendance:
- General sickness
- Routine medical or dental appointments (should be booked outside college time)
- Driving theory tests
- Holidays during term time
- Any other reasons not listed above
These may still be recorded as reported, but will reduce overall attendance percentage.
Each lesson is marked using a register code:
| Register Code | Reason | Impact on Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| / | Present and on time | Positive |
| L | Late to lesson | Positive (attendance), negative punctuality |
| D | Dismissed from lesson | Neutral / follow-up |
| A | Absent – not reported correctly | Negative |
| R | Absent – reported (unauthorised) | Negative |
| H | Holiday absence | Negative |
| E | Educational activity | Neutral |
| X | Authorised with evidence | Neutral |
| Z | Teacher absent – work set | Neutral |
