Authorised absence

The following examples could be acceptable reasons for authorising absences:

• a visit to a university open day or a career-related interview
  
  
• a work placement, which is an integral part of the student’s course and for which the student does not receive payment
  
  
• attending a funeral, wedding or civil ceremony of a close family member 
  
  
• attending a probation meeting
  
  
• severe disruption to a student’s method of transport that leaves the student with no method of travelling to school or college
  
  
• a driving lesson (not during taught classes)
  
  
• a driving test
  
  
• a family emergency, such as the need to look after a family member – this may be important to students who have caring responsibilities, such as young and young adult carers
  
  
• extracurricular activities that represent a significant personal achievement, such as sports participation at national or county level or voluntary work
  
  
• medical appointments that could not be made outside of school or college hours
  
  
• for young or young adult carers, attending medical appointments for the person they care for
  
  
• extracurricular trips organised and authorised by the Learning Centre during term time, for example ski trips and days out
  
  
• delayed or cancelled public transport
  
  
• attending accommodation or housing viewing appointments when this is unavailable outside of school hours
  
  
• signing accommodation or housing agreements and contracts when required to do so during school hours

This list is an example and not exhaustive. If in doubt, please check with our Partners Support Desk.

You should assess each absence on its own merits, as you would for non-EMA students. For example, you might consider the following questions:

• Was the absence reasonable?
  
  
• Was it backed up by authentic evidence?
  
  
• Has the student had many absences before this one?
  
  
• Has the student used the same reason before?
  
  
• Has the student told you in advance, or as soon as is practicable?

Some students, for example young and young adult carers or students with disabilities, may have special circumstances which may unavoidably affect their attendance. You should consider all circumstances when you decide if an absence is authorised or unauthorised.