Full-time Professional Circus Training - Student Attendance

Attendance and Training / Project Progress

Students are expected to attend all classes, course presentations and meetings throughout their taught programme. Students will normally be given details of the weekly schedule and course assignments / presentations.
Students are expected to use their free time to practise the skills they have been taught, to work on their personal conditioning plan, and to work on their course assignments / presentations.
Students will be informed of their individual attendance requirements.
Circus Maniacs is required to keep records as to whether a student's conduct, attendance and progress is satisfactory. We occassionally have to show these record to the appropriate monitoring authorites.
In the case of International students, we are required by law to comply with the latest Immigration and Nationality department guidance on notification of absent students (which came into force in 2005).
During their programme, students should not engage in any activity which will interfere with the maintenance of a satisfactory standard of work or damage their training / creation progress.
National guidelines and recommendations say that full-time students should be advised not to have more than 15 hours per week paid employment during term-time.
Circus Maniacs recommends that students prefereably limit any part-time employment to no more than 12 hours per week during term time, as our concern is any more would adversely effect your training & creation progressions.

Learning Agreement

When you arrive we will need you to read and sign our Learning Agreement.

Absence from Circus Maniacs through illness

It is essential that you inform the School Administrator in the Circus Maniacs Office as soon as possible, of any absence whether it be for personal reasons or sickness.
The School Administrator should then in turn inform the Course Director and all relevant tutors if a student has a reported absence.

Self-Certification of Illness

It is your responsibility to 'self-certify' any illness that causes you to have absence from Circus Maniacs for any period up to 7 consecutive calendar days.
This should be done using the 'Self-Certification of Illness Proforma' (SIP), which can be obtained from the School Administrator.
So that Circus Maniacs School Administrator is aware that you have been away from your studies as a result of illness, you should submit an SIP immediately upon your return following the absence.
If you fail to submit the SIP immediately upon your return, and no later than the 7-day period of grace stated on the proforma, the School Administrator will record your absence as 'Unauthorised'.
Where it is suspected that students are abusing the self-certification process, this will be addressed using the Circus Maniacs's Student Disciplinary Procedures.
Such matters are dealt with by the School Administrator or a member of the Teaching Staff in the first instance and then, for more serious cases, referred to the Course Director, who may require the student to provide medical evidence.
Please remember to notify the School Administrator that you have returned following any absence.

Absence for non-medical reasons

If you need leave of absence from Circus Maniacs or if your return is delayed by illness or other special circumstances, you must apply to the Course Director for approval.
Leave of absence is normally granted only in cases of emergency or exceptional circumstances.
Any unapproved absence will be deemed 'Unauthorised'.

Interruption of Programme

Occasionally a student finds that it is necessary to apply to interrupt a programme of study. For example, this may be for reasons of ill health or pressing personal difficulties.
It is essential that a formal application is made in writing to the Course Director, stating the reasons in full.
Each application will be given every consideration, although it is only when the Course Director writes to the student to approve the request that the student will be allowed to interrupt.
If you think that you need to interrupt your programme, you should make an appointment to discuss your situation with the Course Director.

Leave Of Absence Policy

Policy Statement

Circus Maniacs School of Circus Arts (the School) has adopted the following policy concerning absences from class:

Regular attendance in classes is a vital part of the training process.
At the School each student is expected to accept the responsibility of attending classes regularly and promptly. Teachers are encouraged to state their policy on attendance to their classes; they may refer any student to the Director whose attendance record they consider unsatisfactory.

The Director of the School will follow teachers requests to confer with students who are absent from classes too often and, when necessary, will impose training discipline upon these students, either when recommended by teachers.

While students are training with us, they must not take part in auditions or in performances outside the school, unless they first have agreed permission, through the school, and have been granted an 'authorised absence'. This is primarily because we do not wish students to get distracted from their training.
However, under certain circumstances, we may encourage and even seek out certain contracts / opportunities for you if we feel it is appropriate and will benefit your particular project.

Absences traditionally excused are those that occur because of: hospitalisation, serious illness, death in a student's family, important religious holidays, or authorized School activities (field trips, School-sponsored cultural events, or the like).
Students anticipating the need to be absent are expected to consult with the teacher in a timely manner.

The teacher is not obligated to allow students to make up missed work; it is the teacher's decision, not the school's, whether students may be allowed such a privilege.

Contact the school's director only when students are unable to contact teachers themselves (e.g., debilitating illness, leaving town suddenly for family emergencies, protracted absences).

It is the student's responsibility to consult directly with the teacher regarding absence from class. Excuses for absences from final project presentations must come only from the School office.

Eligibility

All students in courses administered by the School are eligible for Leave of Absence.

Application Process

Application for a leave of absence should be made in writing and forwarded to the school.

You should include a simple statement that you wish to apply for leave for leave of absence, some indication of the reason(s) and the length of the period you require. The reason can simply be "family matters", "ill health" or "travel". We do not require a detailed history.

Implications re 'Leave of Absence' for International Students

International Students are not permitted to remain in the UK unless they are full-time students.

International students MUST speak with the School International Office about the immigration-related ramifications of taking a leave of absence before the leave of absence will be approved. International students who take leaves of absence must be aware of how this might affect his or her visa status.

Length of Absence

We allow up to four weeks leave of absence in a single application.
You may be allowed more than this limit but this will be heavily dependent upon your course / training progress to date and your circumstances.
You may find that we need more detail of your reasons if you request more than the maximum.
If you require longer than the maximum that can be granted, you will be withdrawn from the course or training program. However, it is rare for re-admission if you have a difficult training history (for example, poor progress records or withdrawals).

Consequences of taking Leave of Absence (with notification)

The principal consequence is that when you return from Leave of Absence (or you are readmitted) the new school rules then in force will be applied to you. You will normally find us to be as flexible as possible about prerequisites, co-requisites etc. that may have changed since you last enrolled. However, please be alert to possible changes and we strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the latest school rules when you return.

Consequences of taking Leave of Absence (without notification)

An international Student missing a cumulative total of 4 weeks of course work during one academic year without notification of absent, will be withdrawn from the course he/she enrolled and fees paid to the school will not refunded in any circumstances.

Compliance with latest Immigration and Nationality Department on notification of absent students

The school will notify to Immigration and Nationality Department immediately about absent students with contact details of UK and home country.
The School will also provide help and support for further investigation if required.

Implications of PoorAttendance

Students may well be asked to leave if:

Withdrawal from Circus Maniacs

A student may find that Circus Training is not for them and it can take courage to admit this to oneself or to others. It is also difficult to tell whether unhappiness is a matter of short-term homesickness or a major mistake in choice of career.
If you have any worries about continuing on your programme, discuss it with someone before making up your mind. We ask that you inform the School Administrator of your concerns. The School Administrator will arrange for one of the Course Director or one of the Tutors to talk through these problems with you to help you clarify your own thoughts and feelings, in confidence.

If you decide to withdraw from your programme you must write to the Course Director outlining your reasons and giving your last date of attendance.

Back to Full-time Professional Training