Make your mark
Attending classes is essential to achieving success in your studies, although we understand that sometimes an absence is unavoidable.
There are many benefits to attending College that will set you up well for the future. These include:
- Achieving good grades and completing your course
- Opportunities for further professional development and careers advice
- Making life-long friends
- Developing social skills and feeling part of a community
- Developing core skills in demand by employers
- Taking part in fun and enriching campus activities
We want you to be all you can be, in College and beyond. We are invested in your future and, in return, we ask that you follow our Student Citizenship Code, part of which is “Be Ready”. This means being prepared for and attending classes.
If you’re feeling unwell or unable to attend College, please email absence@bridgend.ac.uk or call 01656 302 302 before the start of the college day with the following information:
- Your name
- Student ID
- Reason for absence
- When you expect to be back at College
Absences need to be reported within 2 working days.
Good attendance is mandatory for all students who receive government funding to attend college (e.g. Education Maintenance Allowance, Welsh Government Learning Grant, etc). Regular absences will result in your payments being suspended until attendance improves.
Payments will be made for:
- Sickness – up to 1 week as long as you have notified Student Services. After 1 week a doctor’s note is required. After 2 weeks your absence is classed as long-term sickness and no further payments will be made.
- Medical appointments – appointment cards need to be shown to Student Services.
- Other appointments such as Driving Tests, University interviews – evidence should be shown to Student Services.
- Funeral – you may be absent for the day of the funeral for close family members.
Payments will not be made for holidays, unreported absences, or repeated sickness absences (more than 3 instances of sickness in a term).
College is a great place to figure out your next steps. If you aren’t sure if the course you’ve started is the one for you, our Student Services Team is available to discuss different course options with you. You can contact them on hello@bridgend.ac.uk.
If you’re struggling with the level of difficulty or workload of your course, please don’t suffer in silence. We recommend you speak with your course tutor in the first instance to see how they can help you. They will then be able to identify further support if needed.
Several of our students have carer responsibilities outside of College and we have a support package to help, including an allowance for starting classes late and finishing early if needed.
To notify the College of your situation and to learn how we can help, please contact wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk.
Our dedicated Student Services Team is available to help students with a wide range of queries, including transport options and financial advice. To chat to a member of the team about your options, email hello@bridgend.ac.uk or visit Student Services on Bridgend and Pencoed Campuses.
If you have been experiencing any form of anti-social behaviour, on or off campus, our Safeguarding Officers are available to support you. Email wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk or pop in to one of the drop in sessions at Bridgend and Pencoed Campuses
If you have been struggling with your mental health and you feel it’s impacting your performance at College, contact Student Wellbeing at wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk who will be on hand to help and discuss the best level of support for you.
