Academic Engagement Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

This policy describes the way in which Inchbald School of Design approaches matters relating to Academic Engagement and Monitoring.

This policy outlines the steps Inchbald employ to promote positive attitudes towards engagement with study programmes and ensure active and consistent engagement and attendance.

This policy applies to all students at Inchbald school of Design but specifically to those who are sponsored, i.e., studying on a visa.

This policy covers all modes of study full time, short courses, and part time.

Definitions

"Inchbald School of Design" is the institution providing the teaching and may be referred to as 'Inchbald school of Design' or 'The School'

"Student" is someone who is registered as attending Inchbald school of Design for any educational course and has undergone the enrolment process, whether actively on program at the time and before any formal cessation of studies

"Academic Engagement" is defined as students being actively and consistently academically engaged for the duration of their course.

"Sponsored" is defined as those studying in the UK via the Student Route on a UKVI issue Visa

3. Policy Statement

3.1 Inchbald School of Design is committed to supporting all their students to commit, engage and achieve whilst studying.

3.2 The School will monitor attendance and performance to ensure students fulfil their obligations to attend the requisite number of hours to fulfil the conditions of their visa and academic course whilst they are sponsored by the school.

3.3 Inchbald will track and record attendance and monitor the circumstances of students enrolled on their courses.

3.4 It is to be noted that ALL sessions set out on Inchbald courses are compulsory and as such students are expected to attend for the full number of hours specified on their course details and timetables. Any variances such as self-directed study periods will be confirmed termly.

3.5 During the current uncertainty regarding Covid 19 and to keep student and staff safe, it may be necessary to switch modes of study to virtual. This will not alter the required attendance patterns for your course. Zoom, Teams or other virtual learning platform sessions will be monitored as with live sessions in house.

4. Implementation

4.1 The implementation of this policy is managed via clear systems of registration and attendance.

4.2 The School record attendance through a registration process with students required to sign in and out of the building each time they arrive or leave. (At the time of updating this policy the system is manual, upgrading to an electronic system is under consideration for September 2021).

4.3 Secondary registers may also be taken for lectures, workshops and visits.

4.4 Students are required to inform a school secretary as soon as possible of any problems with attending, for example, due to ill health. In such cases students will need to provide evidence, a doctor's note or equivalent if they wish their absence to be authorised.

4.5 Attendance monitoring ensures that each student is actively taking part in their course for the required number of hours commensurate with the academic level of the course and subject to the guidelines for sponsored students, issued through UKVI.

4.6 Attendance will be monitored and totalled per term to ascertain a general picture of how the student has responded to the course requirements.

4.7 Unauthorised absences for 10 consecutive sessions, (a usual day would be two sessions, 10am until lunch, lunch until close), automatically require Inchbald to inform the UKVI of non-attendance. Such absences could result if the revocation of your study visa which would mean the withdrawal of your right to remain in the UK, with immediate effect.

4.8 Consistent unauthorised short-term absence from scheduled teaching sessions will also be monitored and may impact a student's ability to complete a module.

5. Updating your information

5.1 Students must keep the School fully informed of any changes to their circumstances whilst they are have leave to study, this includes but is not restricted to:

• Term time address
• Email address (one specific address must be selected as the means of contact between the student and the school)
• Mobile telephone number (one designated number for primary contact between the student and the school)
• Health issues that threaten the student's ability to continue studying, (If a student has a condition that may affect their studies, they must disclose this prior to enrolment. If a student develops a condition, whilst on a course which may impact their learning, they must inform the School immediately.)
• Changes in financial circumstances that threaten the student's ability to continue studying.

5.2 Students must also supply ALL the required information to Admissions prior to enrolment being confirmed, this includes but is not restricted to:

• Passport, including any biometric details, stamps, or immigration status documents
• Biometric Residence Permit (or Share Code for EEA nationals if applicable)
• Proof of date of entry to the UK (if no Entry Stamp in Passport).

5.3 It is the student's responsibility at all times to ensure that the information supplied to the School is correct and accurate, this includes the correct spelling on email addresses, numbers for mobiles etc.

5.4 Wilfully supplying incorrect information can result in the withdrawal of the right to study which could mean the revocation of the visa.

6. Support

6.1 Academic engagement also implies the completion of course work commensurate with the academic level of that course and required for you to successfully progress to graduation.

6.2 Course Directors and teaching staff are here to help if you feel you are unable to complete or submit work within the proscribed project deadlines, or to meet the module and examination board schedules. Failure to comply these timetables can result in delays and postponements which may impact your qualification and graduation. It is in your best interests to inform staff as soon as you feel you are in danger of missing a deadline or failing to keep up with the workload.

7. Reference Points

7.1 Internal:

• Complaints and Grievance Policy
• Admissions Process

7.2 External:

• UKVI guidelines for Academic Engagement

8. Version HIstory