Sick Leave

Students must inform the school by email (info@iceireland.com) on the first day of illness if they are too unwell to attend lessons. Students that are absent for more than 2 consecutive days due to illness must provide the school with a medical certificate justifying their absence. The medical certificate should be scanned and emailed to the school or presented on the first day back. Attendance will not be applied during any sick leave period but a record will be maintained of all explained absences.

Students that are absent due to illness but fail to provide a medical certificate, risk their attendance levels dropping below 85% and may be issued with a warning letter or expulsion depending on their previous status.

Unscheduled Leave

To request unscheduled breaks students must, where possible, meet with the schools Director of Studies to discuss their individual circumstances and their requirement for a break from scheduled lessons. If the student is incapacitated or hospitalized an email from the student or a relative will be considered. In every case the student must provide evidence of illness or bereavement for a break to be considered.

Unscheduled breaks will be considered under the follow circumstances:

Illness of a family member who is certified by a medical practitioner as requiring constant care and attention for the period of recuperation from the illness.

Bereavement involving a family member.

Requests may be refused if the Director feels the request is disingenuous, no evidence of the illness of bereavement has been presented, the students attendance levels are below 85%.

All requests for leave whether approved or declined will be recorded on the students file.

Absenteeism, Consequences and Expulsion

Ian McElhinney is responsible for the issuing of all warning letters. Warning letters will be sent my regular post or by email. Students are expected to inform the school of any changes to their address while in Ireland.

When a student’s attendance initially falls below 85%, the school will issue students with their first warning letter, students will have 4 weeks to:

• (a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
• (b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons

Failure to comply will result in the student receiving a second warning letter and must have a meeting with school administrative staff. Again the students will have 4 weeks to:

• (a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
• (b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons

Failure to comply will result in the student receiving a third warning letter and a meeting will be held between the student and the schools Director of Studies. The students will have 4 weeks to:

• (a) bring their attendance up to a minimum of 85% or
• (b) if this is not possible they must attend 100% of their lessons

Upon breach of this written and verbal warning, the student will be expelled from the Irish College of English, a letter will be sent to GNIB informing them of the students’ failure to come to class, the breach of their visa obligations, and the expiration of their course and medical insurance.