NEW ABSENCE CODES, DESCRIPTIONS AND MEANINGS FOR SIMS ATTENDANCE DCSF National Absence codes, DCSF agreed

application in SIMS Attendance, effective September 2006, correct as of September 2006. Code / \ @ B C D E F G H I J L M N O Description Present (AM) Present (PM) Do Not Use Educated off site (NOT Dual reg) Other Authorised Circumstances Dual registration (attending other estab) Excluded (no alternative provision made) Extended family holiday (agreed) Family holiday (NOT agreed or days in excess) Family holiday (agreed) Illness (NOT med/dental appointments) Interview Late (before registers closed) Medical/Dental appointments No reason yet provided for absence Unauthorised absence (not covered by other code) Approved sporting activity Religious observance Study leave Traveller absence Late (after registers closed) Educational visit or trip Statistical Meaning Present Present Unauthorised absence Approved Educational Activity Authorised absence Approved Educational Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Approved Education Activity Present Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Educational Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Educational Activity Physical Meaning In for whole session In for whole session Late for session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Late for session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session

P R S T U V

Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Late for session Out for whole session

Code W X Y Z ! # * -

Description Work experience DCSF #: School closed to pupils Enforced closure Do Not Use DCSF X: Non-compulsory school age absence School closed to pupils and staff DCSF Z: Pupil not on roll All should attend/No mark recorded

Statistical Meaning Approved Educational Activity Attendance Not Required Attendance Not Required Authorised absence Attendance Not Required Attendance Not Required Attendance Not Required No mark

Physical Meaning Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session No mark for session

Approved Educational Activity and Attendance Not Required do not qualify as absence for statistical purposes. Any lengthy illnesses or other absences should be discussed with the schools Education Attendance Officer. For pupils above or below the statutory school age, eg, Y12, it is only necessary to record presence and absence for health and safety purposes as parents cannot be prosecuted for non-school attendance. 5. First Day Contact It is the responsibility of parents to contact school as early as possible on the first day of absence. However, if this does not occur, the DCSF recommends as good practice that schools contact parents on the first day of absence and this is strongly endorsed by the LA. Such approaches are known to improve attendance and become manageable once parents know the system is in place and how it works. First day contact is useful when targeting a particular group of students for a time limited period or doing spot checks at random. From a child safeguarding perspective, it is good practice to ring or contact parents if children are expected in school and dont turn up. There have been cases in Somerset where first day contact has prevented pupils coming to harm, eg, a KS1 child who arrived late and was locked out of the school. It is a good idea, on induction evenings, to stress the importance of parental contact with school on the first day of absence. Early discussion is needed with the EAS if the school is unable to contact the family, particularly where a child has gone missing or where there are concerns about child safeguarding.

6.

Removing a Pupil from School Roll Under Pupil Registration Regulations 2006, pupils of compulsory school age can be removed from roll only when the following criteria apply:

Pupil admitted to another school, confirmation received and records requested. Pupil moves away from area and cannot be found (school and Education Attendance Officer follow procedures and complete enquiries). The pupil must remain on roll until the process is completed. Removal can be backdated to the end of the first week of absence, if agreed by the LA. Pupil permanently excluded. Statutory time limit for appeal has passed or appeal has not been upheld. Death of the child. Parents indicate in writing that they wish to home educate their child. Pupil fails to return from an extended holiday. A period of four weeks must then elapse after the date of return agreed in advance. Extensive enquiries should be made to try and ascertain the reasons for the child failing to return and child reported 'As a Child Missing from Education'. [Refer to full list in Regulations]

It would help schools and the 'Children Missing Education' Co-ordinator if parents put in writing their intention to remove their child from the school's roll. This would encourage good practice and essentially support the safeguarding of children. Poor attendance is not a reason to remove the childs name from roll. Please await LA written agreement before removal from roll. You will be given a date for the childs official removal. 7. Missing Children Each year a number of pupils disappear from education. This is a child safeguarding issue and each LA and school has a responsibility to attempt to trace all pupils who stop attending school and whose whereabouts are unknown. A pupil is defined as Missing from Education if they have stopped attending school or their home location is no longer known, or their expected transition move to their next school does not take place. To support this the LA is committed to ensuring that: (i) all pupils of statutory school age who go missing or are lost from schools in Somerset and move within County to other areas are speedily located; or commence at an independent sector school, and support is given to other LAs to locate their own missing/lost pupils;

(ii)

and will therefore ensure

(iii)

that all Somerset schools are made fully aware of their responsibilities in relation to missing/lost pupils; that all Somerset schools are properly supported to meet these responsibilities; use of the National School to School (S2s) Lost Pupils Database to communicate nationally regarding lost pupils;

(iv)

(v)

(vi) that the operation of its missing pupil procedures are monitored to ensure best practice with regard to ensuring children are in a safe and secure environment where they are protected from harm.