Any attendance officers?

[SuperSue77]

Can you answer a question I have? Would you class the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as a 'public examination' in terms of authorising a student's absence from school for study leave as absence code 'S'?

DD has a 'work experience week' at the end of year 12, but wants to use it to prepare for her UCAT test as they advise having 6 clear weeks to prepare for the test, and she already has substantial work experience. Her school have said this is fine, but they want her in school. I have argued there are too many distractions in school and she would find practice more effective in the peace and quiet and familiar environment of home.

So I'm in discussions with the school about this, I want it authorised for her to be at home to study, but wondering which absence code would be most appropriate and thinking S seems most appropriate, but equally could be an X or a C. Also part of me wonders what it even matters given she is 17 years old! But it matters to her, so I want them to get it right. I feel if she can be responsible enough to arrange work experience during her school holidays the least they can do is allow her to be at home for one week to study for her most important exam to date, rather than muck about at school for that week.

I would mark any student of mine as authorised absence under 'course related' - given UCAT will contribute to a 'positive destination'.
If DD has already completed WEX hours, and isn't missing content, I wouldn't have an issue - however, revising in the library would be a good compromise?

Many thanks for your reply. What code does 'course related' come under? Is that the same code you'd use for a field trip for example?
The issue with the library is that the one at school doesn't have the right equipment, and the local public library is not quiet enough - they have events like rhyme time.

The other advantage of doing it at home is that she'll be doing this for 5 weeks, so if she kicks off that period from home, it gives her continuity and if she finds something doesn't work well she can change it and still have plenty of time to continue her studies, whereas having to change location after a week can cost precious time in readjusting to the new set-up.

Your comments are helpful as it helps me think about school's arguments and how to respond to them. I did check with them that there wouldn't be any lessons running during that week, as she would be attending those if there were.

I do find it bizarre that they were happy for her to study from home for her GCSEs (in which she performed extremely well) yet have an issue with this one week when she has an extra year of maturity - oh, and has 100% attendance for the past 13 years of her education (she's the sort that would drag herself in with a limb dangling off).

Yes, same code you'd enter for a field trip/enrichment. I suspect their stance is it will set a precedent, and that they have to adhere to policy - but I'd argue it's very specific circumstances and vital to her HE progression. Perhaps counter with DD is demonstrating 'ownership of her study' (to be commended) and that the 'autonomy and agency' afforded previously, means DD should be supported and encouraged...
Good luck 🤞🏼😊

Thanks so much. I really wish more schools had the confidence to make decisions that suit the individual rather than forcing them all to conform to what they see as the standard way.

I'm very lucky that my son's school (different school) is flexible and collaborative and have allowed him to flexischool - he spends one day a week at home and the rest in school. He's done this from yr7 to yr9 and I believe it is the reason he is still in school and not suffering EBSNA. He is 100% on board with being full time in school from year 10 onwards as he 'wants to do well in his GCSEs'. I'm not sure we'd even been contemplating him sitting GCSEs if his school had not been so supportive of his needs.

Thanks again for you advice.

What equipment does she need to study for ucat?
She needs a laptop?
If next 5 weeks will be during school hols she can cope with one week in school library surely?
Anyway
It s not going to impact her life whatever she does eg unauthorised absence.

ucatukpreparation_plan-2-1.pdf https://share.google/ZEkJtbobuNggdmwIv

She can surely look at a website in the school library ?

She needs the correct keyboard and mouse to replicate the set-up they have in the test centre, school doesn't have these.

Eh?

At the test centre, you will be allocated a desk space with a PC, monitor, standard QWERTY keyboard and mouse. You will also be given an
A4 'laminated notebook' and pen for note taking.

I think she needs to be able to cope (you need a lot of resilience to do 5 years med school!!) and one week of e g not using a mouse or keyboard will not impact her results
Surely library has standard keyboards? And her laptop ?
She will have 5 weeks more to practice the shortcuts Source: BlackStone Tutors share.google/DrDfwEK2YQlcUD6JU

No, only 4 weeks left after this one. Thanks for your comments but we still feel she will be more productive at home and are going to ask school to authorise it. If they don’t, she gets a week of unauthorised attendance, which as you say is not going to affect her life.

I still find it fascinating that in this day and age the belief that education only happens in school is so strong. Why do schools give study leave to pupils before GCSEs? Why not keep them in the school library when they’re not in the exam hall? I know some schools do this, but DD’s school sent them all home the minute the exams started.

Just a thought, OP. If DD has Access Arrangements, check what her 'normal way of working' (eg breaks or small room) states - make the case this can be best implemented, outside of busy school/college environment, in order to maximise her score.

Study leave during GCSE exam season is more about logistics, IME

I dont know why they want her in school if she will be doing private study either.
But if she did have to study elsewhere eg in school for five days 9 to 3 pm it should not have negative impact on her overall ucat outcome
Is just 5 days half the day.

But it may do, if she'd rather prepare in a way she feels will optimise her chances and is forced to deviate from that?
Given her 100 % attendance record, she deserves opportunity to work in a way which suits, rather than risk it 😊