University/FE attendance

[mummabear1967]

DS has started a Foundation degree through a university at an FE college.

They say they are very strict about attendance - any unauthorised absences will be dealt with through the disciplinary process and if any student fails to turn up for class without prior notification, they will contact the student to find out why.

Anyway, DS has braces and might have to miss class to go to the orthodontists and will have to go to the dentist from time to time, how does this work if he may need to leave class early for appointments or if he comes in late due to an appointment?

He should discuss this with his programme lead and/or tutor and provide evidence. If he's honest and demonstrates engagement and willingness to catch up then should be fine. Importantly - he needs to instigate these conversations as an adult leaner.

Realistically, like a job or other important commitment, he should ideally try to book those appointments for when he doesn't have a lecture or other session. If he, say, doesn't have anything on a Friday or has Wednesday afternoons free, then that's when you make the appointment. If he is literally scheduled from 9-5 five days a week, then he needs to see what their policy is for excused absences. This should be in the student handbook or some other document they have given him or is posted on the website or student portal. Usually an appointment card (dentist always prints these out for me when we make them) will suffice. It should be submitted wherever he is told to submit it in advance and then just let the lecturer known in advance. It's not a big deal, but it's in his best interest not to miss material if he can help it, because he'll just have to catch himself up later and that's probably more hassle than just booking for a time he won't miss a lecture.

Yes I forgot to add, he will try and make appointments on days he doesn’t have classes

If he just lets his course tutor know, they can be put down as an authorised absence - there won’t be a problem with that. From my experience with orthodontists, there’s not much opportunity for choosing appointment days/times - although I appreciate this will be different if being done in a practice rather than a hospital.