It's important to note that when a young person comes from school that college is a different experience, and learners are treated as adults. This means we do not contact parents or carers around absence, issues with behaviour, or around student progress.
Any support in place at school does not necessarily automatically transfer over, so it is essential that the student highlights this to us as early as possible.
We can help give a head start through the wide range of courses we offer through our School College Partnership. We have gathered important information and guidance to help students, schools, parents, carers, and advisors in any way we can.
For more information on school leavers you can view the information here. To contact the School College Partnership team, please email scp@fife.ac.uk.
Winter Leavers
Winter leavers – where a young person’s 16th birthday falls between the October and the following February. These are school pupils who have completed 4th year at secondary school, however, the Scottish education system requires them to remain in full-time education until the December of that year (minimum). Historically many of these pupils become disengaged and the additional requirement of remaining in full-time education, post completion of 4 years in secondary education results in the cohort feeling disadvantaged.
Where a winter leaver would prefer to undertake a full-time college programme starting in the September instead of returning to school this is permitted, where they meet the entry requirements and commit to the full academic year ending the following July. The young people are referred to as exceptional entrants and although in college remain on their high school registration. During this period of time their attendance is reported to the school and if becomes unacceptable they could be returned to school to complete the mandatory element of their education. At the start of the New Year this process ceases and they continue without the additional reporting.
Some winter leavers will decide to remain within school until the December and then leave and secure a destination. Those pupils who remain at school post December continue in school as a 5th year pupil.
Attendance Advisers check attendance of all students, including Winter Leaver students.
The Attendance Advisers monitor the Winter Leavers attendance weekly and where concerns are identified they will make contact with the student and liaise with the faculty contact and any other relevant support team members. Where a Winter Leaver requests to leave a College campus before the end of a scheduled class this must be clarified in advance with parents/carers by. Attendance is shared with the high school that the young person attended prior to coming to college.
Winter Leaver students should be encouraged to complete the College funding application for EMA at the point that they receive their course offer. This is despite them not actually being eligible or receiving their funds until the following January. This ensures that their funding is in place and that it commences after Christmas.