Zen Educate Attendance Policy
Absences, lateness, and how to handle them
Mark In App
Zen and school know instantly
24+ Hour Notice
Gives us time to secure qualified cover
Be On Time
Ensure children are supervised & safe at all times
Notify us in App
You must inform us of any absence or lateness in app - that’s the only way to to do it. (Calls, emails and texts won’t count as formal absence or lateness notice.)
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Why Reliability Matters
We get it - life happens. But every absence or late arrival leaves classrooms short-staffed and puts pressure on school teams. Showing up reliably helps schools run smoothly and builds trust. That’s why we track attendance and take it seriously.
What Counts and Why
Absences
| Notice Period | Impact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 24 hrs | Disruptive | Even a day’s notice means new cover needs to be found. |
| < 24 hrs | More serious | Finding a replacement at the last minute is near impossible. |
| < 2 hrs | Very serious | Schools are often left without support. |
| No-show / no message | Critical | Immediate booking cancellation. Failing to arrive means students go unsupervised and is a safeguarding risk. |
Lateness
| Arrival Window | Impact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 hrs | Disruptive | Schools may need to adjust plans last-minute. |
| More than 2 hrs late / no message | Critical | Put's your booking at risk of cancellation at the school's discretion. This leaves children unsupervised, putting pressure on school teams and risking student safety. |
What This Means for you
We track attendance over a rolling 8-week period. If you miss a confirmed booking or arrive significantly late, the Zen app flags it.
Here’s what happens if issues build up:
- You’ll get an in-app alert and be asked to complete our absence management training
- If things don’t improve, your account may be paused, and we’ll ask you to book a chat with our team
Exceptions
Exceptions count as long as you have prior approval or valid documentation:
- Critical medical appointments
- Statutory sick leave or protected leave (e.g. maternity/paternity, jury service, time off for dependants)
Please email any supporting documents to support@zeneducate.com within 24 hours of your absence.
Ending an Assignment Early
Long Term roles:
- Prior approval is required before ending a confirmed booking early.
- Message your Account Manager in the Zen app and they will guide you on next steps.
Short Term roles:
- If you have an upcoming supply booking you are unable to complete, you must message Zen in the app with a brief explanation.
- You’ll receive a response within 24 hours.
In all cases of repeated absences or lateness, Zen reserves the right to review your standing on the platform and determine your continued eligibility for bookings.
As a DfE-accredited organisation, we’re committed to the highest professional standards and ask every member of our team to uphold our Code of Conduct by maintaining reliable attendance.