The School is committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive educational environment. Our Fitness to Study Policy ensures that students' physical and mental health are managed effectively, safeguarding their well-being and academic integrity. It provides a structured approach for addressing concerns about a student’s ability to engage with their studies, offering support and adjustments where needed to facilitate their success.
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
The School is committed to supporting its diverse student body by providing a safe and inclusive environment. When physical or mental health conditions impact a student's ability to study or participate effectively, the School will offer reasonable adjustments and support. The Student Wellbeing Team oversees the Fitness to Study Procedure, which addresses issues related to health or conduct that may disrupt the student or others.
This approach ensures that students receive the necessary support to manage health-related challenges while maintaining a conducive learning environment. The Student Wellbeing Team's coordination of the Fitness to Study Procedure provides a structured and effective means of addressing and resolving such issues.
Students must not engage in activities that endanger themselves or others, or that disrespect members of the School community or the public. The School may become concerned if a student:
In these cases, School staff may apply the Fitness to Study procedure to identify the most supportive course of action for the student.
This rule ensures that all students can study and engage in School life safely and respectfully. It provides a structured approach to support students whose health or conduct may impact their well-being or the School environment.
The Fitness to Study procedure includes three key stages:
The process is flexible; the Student Wellbeing Team can start at any stage and proceed as needed. They will conduct a risk assessment to decide the most suitable stage to begin. If necessary, the Student Wellbeing Team may refer the case to the Executive Committee for additional review under other regulations, policies, or student contracts, which may involve a Learning Support Plan or reasonable adjustments.
This rule ensures a tailored approach to each student’s situation, allowing for flexibility and appropriate intervention based on individual needs and circumstances.
The student may be accompanied by a School member or social worker (but not a legal representative) to any meetings held under this procedure. The School aims to provide the student with a written record of the meeting within 10 working days. Additionally, a confidential note of the meeting will be placed on the Automated Governance System (AGS).
This ensures students have support during meetings and receive prompt documentation, while maintaining confidentiality through secure recording.
These rules ensure that decisions are well-informed and balanced, prioritising the health and safety of the student and the broader community. They provide a structured approach for managing serious concerns, including the potential need for temporary or permanent exclusion.
This process ensures a structured approach for addressing concerns, providing clarity on the steps involved and potential outcomes. It allows for effective resolution and necessary escalation while keeping the student informed and supported throughout.
This process ensures that unresolved concerns from Stage 1 are addressed systematically, with clear steps for escalation, review, and action planning. It provides structure for managing ongoing issues, facilitates timely interventions, and supports apprentices by aligning action plans with their work and study requirements.
The Student Wellbeing Team, a senior School leader, or a designated nominee may call a Stage 3 Required Intervention meeting if a student's behaviour continues to pose significant risks or if Stage 2 measures have not sufficiently mitigated concerns. This procedure is followed:
Notification: The School will inform the student about the Stage 3 meeting and provide a copy of this procedure. For apprentices, their employer will also be notified. The meeting aims to assess the risk posed by the student's actions and determine necessary steps.
Preparation: The School will send relevant documents to the student before the meeting unless exceptional circumstances, such as medical advice, suggest that sharing the evidence could risk harm. The student can submit written or oral statements. If the student does not attend, decisions will be made based on available information.
Attendees: The meeting will include:
Hearing: The meeting will review all relevant information regarding the student's conduct and studies. After presenting all evidence, the student will be asked to leave for deliberation.
Deliberation: The panel will assess:
Decision: The panel will recommend to the Executive Committee or Programme Examination Board:
Suspension of Studies: If suspension is recommended:
Decision Notification: The panel will aim to notify the student of the decision on the day of the meeting. If this is not possible, written notification will be sent within 7 days. Confirmation of the decision will follow within 7 days if initially communicated in person.
This process ensures a structured approach to handling significant concerns by providing clear steps for assessment, decision-making, and communication. It allows for thorough evaluation, fair consideration, and appropriate actions while involving necessary parties and adhering to procedural fairness.
The School aims to support students returning to their studies after an intermission, ensuring their safety and well-being and that of others.
Return Planning: If a student has taken an intermission due to these policies, the School will facilitate their return within their maximum registration period and academic regulations.
Tailored Support: Upon return:
Early Engagement: Students should consult the Student Wellbeing Team as early as possible when planning their return to study.
Regulations: The School will manage the return according to its regulations. Registered students will regain access to the Automated Governance System (AGS).
This process ensures that students receive tailored support for a safe and effective return to their studies. It provides a structured approach to assessing well-being, planning support, and complying with academic regulations, thus prioritising the student's health and successful reintegration into their academic environment.
Revisiting arguments from the original panel will not be sufficient grounds for an appeal. Acceptable grounds for appeal include:
Appeals Procedure:
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education:
Students can complain about the Appeals Panel’s decision or any decision that ends the internal process to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
This rule clarifies the acceptable grounds for appeal and outlines a clear, structured appeals process, ensuring fairness and transparency. It provides students with specific criteria for submitting an appeal and details the steps involved, including the option to escalate the matter to an external body if necessary.
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.