Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Attendance:

If my child is late, is this an absence?

It depends… If your child arrives after registration, they would be marked as Late before Register Closes (L), this is not an absence but DOES impact on your child being ready to learn, receiving important information and having some social time. If your child arrives after the register has closed but during the morning sessions at some point, they would be marked Late After Register Closed (U) which is unauthorised lateness, or an authorised absence code E.g. Medical (M) if they had an appt to attend, or Other Authorised Circumstances (C). These are absences and shows the child did not obtain a present register mark for that official registration session. However, for the purposes of Fire Regulations it shows they have arrived on site at some point.

What are official registration periods?

There is a legal requirement for registration to be taken twice a day. Schools set these times within the structure of the day; normally between 8.30 and 9.00am depending on the time that the first lesson starts, and again after mid-day; between 12.00 and 2.00pm. These registers form the ‘official register’ and these attendance and absence marks are what is reported to the Department of Education at each Census Data point in the year. The whole school attendance level is determined from these registrations and the school is judged by Ofsted on their attendance level.

Why does the school require me to update my contact details frequently?

The school need to be able to make contact with you in an emergency. This may be to obtain permissions, for example a medical procedure if your child is involved in an accident, or to inform you they have gone missing if they did not register at school that morning, therefore it is essential the school regularly check contact details.

How many days does my child have to attend school each academic year?

The law and regulations state that children have to be given 190 days of education per year.

Why does my school need me to contact them every day if my child is poorly?

Communication is important to work together in ensuring your child is safe and can access their learning. The school cannot assume your child is at home, they have a safeguarding duty to know where your child is. If they have been sick the day before and we don’t get a call from you, we have to assume they are on their way to school that day. If a child does not arrive at school it could be that they have made their way to school but not arrived, therefore neither you nor the school would be aware of where they were.

Why do I get letters/email letters from the school regarding attendance levels?

Once you have registered your child at a school the law and regulations state parents must ensure their child attends school regularly and they may be committing an offence if they fail to do so. The school have a duty to inform you what your child’s attendance level is so that they can work with you and your child to prevent absence occurring or help to improve it if it becomes a concern.

What is Persistent Absence?

Absence of less than 90% during any 6-8 week period; or less than 90% overall at any point during the year.

What is Severe Absence?

Absence of less than 50% during any 6-8 week period; or less than 50% overall at any point during the year.

What are Penalty Notices?

Penalty Notices are fines. They are issued by the Local Authority for absence from school that reaches Persistent or Severe Absence criteria. When issued, you have 21 days to pay the fine at £60. If you pay it between 21 & 28 days, it goes up to £120. If you fail to pay it within 28 days, the matter is put to the Magistrates Court and the Magistrates will determine the amount of costs and fine you pay (can be up to £1,000 for a first offence).

Under what circumstances could attendance information be shared?

If your child is absent and there are ongoing concerns regarding attendance, if we haven’t been able to make contact with you re your child’s absence, if your child is presumed missing, or if we have information that they may be involved in crimes outside of school, or generally potentially at risk. We share statutory attendance information with the Local Authority on a weekly/monthly basis. We share concerns and non-attendance information with the community policing teams. We share non-specific attendance information with sibling’s schools where required (i.e. if partnership working is required to support all children in the family, or to check absence reasons for safeguarding and legal duties). We would share non-sensitive information with other family members who you have recorded as contacts on your child’s record. Information is also shared with the Local Authority Early Help Team and/or Children Social Care (if concern is urgent or they have received a contact regarding your family) where appropriate to keep your child safe or to help you in gaining support. For more information on attendance Attendance Legislation and Information