How does school keep a record of my child’s attendance?

Attendance is recorded using specific codes, including:

• Code M: Appointment with a doctor or dentist.
• Code I: Illness.
• Code G: Unauthorised holiday.
• Code L: Late before register closes.
• Code U: Late after register closes (counted as unauthorised absence).
• Code O: Other unauthorised absence or no reason given.

It's important for parents to provide a reason for absence to ensure accurate record-keeping and to avoid unauthorised absences. When a child has more that 10 unauthorised absences in a period of 8 weeks, school can seek a Fixed Penalty and parents can be fined for their child’s absence.