Greenhead College SF Greenhead College Sixth Form
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Absence Reporting

How to Report an Absence

Absence Due to Illness

Absences due to illness or another valid reason must be reported before 11:00am on the day of absence. There are two ways to report an absence:

Please note that text messages have a character limit. For example:

“Tom (S23XXXX) is absent on 26/09 due to vomiting and will return to College on 28/09.”

When reporting an absence, please include:

  • Student name
  • Student number
  • Date of absence
  • Reason for absence
  • Expected return date

Absences reported retrospectively will not be authorised.

If a parent/carer is unable to report the absence before 11:00am, the student may do so using one of the methods above. However, this must be followed up by a parent/carer message on the same day for the absence to be authorised.

As a courtesy, students should notify their tutor and teachers of any lessons they will miss and make arrangements to catch up on missed work.

Leaving College Early

If a student needs to leave College early due to illness or another valid reason, they must sign out with Student Services (M10) before leaving the College site.

The absence must then be confirmed by a parent/carer on the same day for it to be authorised.

As a courtesy, students should notify their tutor and teachers of any lessons they will miss and make arrangements to catch up on missed work.

Absence Due to an Appointment

Students can notify Student Services of appointments through CEDAR. The absence request must be submitted before the appointment date.

Supporting evidence must also be provided, such as:

  • Appointment card
  • Letter
  • Text message
  • Email confirmation

Evidence should be emailed to: absences@greenhead.ac.uk

As a courtesy, students should notify their tutor and teachers of any lessons they will miss and make arrangements to catch up on missed work.

Authorised Absences

The following absences may be authorised:

  • Illness or accident (a full reason must be provided).
  • Hospital or orthodontic appointments that cannot be arranged outside College hours. Wherever possible, GP and dental appointments should be scheduled during study periods or outside College hours.
  • Religious observance (up to three days per academic year, with a maximum of one day on any single occasion).
  • University open days, interviews or learning schemes.
  • Careers and apprenticeship interviews.
  • Work experience placements linked to the student’s study programme.
  • The funeral of a family member or close friend.
  • A driving theory or practical test (not driving lessons).
  • Authorised study leave prior to College examinations.

Unauthorised Absences

The following absences will not be authorised:

  • Holidays or pilgrimages during term time.
  • Optician appointments.
  • Part-time or full-time employment that is not part of the study programme.
  • Interviews or inductions for part-time or full-time employment.
  • Leisure activities.
  • Weddings (except those of a parent/carer or sibling), birthdays, or similar family celebrations.
  • Babysitting younger siblings or taking them to and from school.
  • Shopping or collecting prescriptions.
  • Driving lessons.

Failure to comply with the above procedures may result in a meeting with your Tutor and/or a reduction in Student Bursary payments.

CEDAR