As if I didn’t have enough to do already, I have been asked to join a task force investigating problems arising from punctuality. This is not a word most young people understand, and many older students have other responsibilities that genuinely affect college attendance. Is there really anything that can be done?

It is possible that in an atmosphere of increasing anxiety about targets and funding that FE is selling courses to students who are completely unprepared for the commitment. Many of them have been enticed by a credo of inclusion, progress and success, but any notion of hard work and responsibility is often omitted from the induction. Good teamwork between lecturers and support staff such as personal tutors is essential in getting to the root of the problem. Is there a correlation between drop-out and punctuality? Addressing student misconceptions about college life on day one may also help.