EMAs

The EMA is a national 'something for something' scheme funded by the Government. You must earn your payments - you sign up to a contract that sets out what is expected of you in terms of attendance and progression.

Attendance

When you enrol on the EMA scheme you sign a contract and in doing so you commit to attending the timetable set by college in return for a weekly EMA payment. You will only receive payment when you have attended all the lessons that you are required to attend. It is important that you take note of the following rules:

  • The assumption made is that any absence is unauthorised unless there is a valid reason for the absence. You must be able to prove that the absence is genuine (e.g. if you attended a hospital appointment then you would have to bring in the appointment card as proof.) After any absence due to illness a letter must be brought into college explaining the nature of the absence. This must then be given to form tutors. (There are pink absence note slips which you can use).
  • If the reason for absence is known in advance (e.g. a religious occasion) then you must apply for authorised absence prior to that date. It is not acceptable to miss classes without prior notification and then claim that the absence should be authorised.
  • Where an absence could not genuinely not be foreseen in advance you must let college know as soon as possible on the first day of your absence. If you fail to let college know that day then your absence will be classed as unauthorised and you will not receive your EMA payment that week.

Appeals

If the decision has been made that you should not receive a weekly payment, you have the right of appeal.

If you feel that an absence has been wrongly classed as unauthorised you can appeal against the decision. It is, however, up to you to provide proof that the absence was authorised.

Initial payment decisions are made by the EMA administrators. Any appeals will be dealt with by Mr Holtham. You have the opportunity to present your case to Mr Holtham and you can have an advisor (e.g. a parent /guardian) present who may state the case on your behalf. An appeal decision is final.