Horton Park Primary School

In order that the school’s aims are achieved, it is essential that pupils at tend school regularly.
Therefore, attendance is monitored and appropriate action taken to support families
experiencing difficulties.

Our Aim:

Improve the overall attendance of pupils at school to a level which matches or exceeds the
national expectation of 95.5%
Minimise the level of unauthorised absence.

COMPLETION OF REGISTERS

Registers are marked in accordance with Bradford Education practice. This involves the
keeping of an electronic ‘Bromcom’ register.

A summary of guidance codes is shown below:
 Register is taken with ‘P’ marked for Present and ‘A’ marked for absent.
 Official time for closure of registers: this is when children are marked as absent on the register.

Times for this are:
- Morning for all classes: 9.30 a.m.
- Afternoon for Foundation Stage and KS2: 1.30 p.m.
- Afternoon for KS1: 1.45 p.m.

CATEGORIES OF ABSENCE

For the purposes of this policy, absence will be referred to in one of three ways:
1. Authorised absence
2. Unauthorised absence
3. Unexplained absence

Definition of Authorised and Unauthorised Absence

Horton Park’s policy on attendance is based on the Education Bradford model of Attendance Codes. This specifies detail relating to authorised and unauthorised absences.

A summary of reasons for authorised absence is as follows:
 Educated off site
 Excluded
 Medical/dental
 Sickness
 Other authorised circumstances, e.g. attendance at a family funeral (1 day)

A summary of reasons for unauthorised absence is as follows:
 No reason yet provided for absence
 Unauthorised circumstances

Examples of unauthorised circumstances are: going shopping; going to the airport; staying at
home to look after siblings; staying at home because parent is ill; attendance at weddings, holidays in term time.

The school decides whether an absence is authorised not the parent or carer.

Definition of Unexplained Absence

This is referred to in the above paragraph as an unauthorised absence (‘no reason yet provided
for absence’). The term refers to all absences from school which have no t been explained.
Parents are asked to inform school by 8.30 a.m. on the day of absence but absences do
sometimes remain unexplained for longer than this. However, our aim is to have no absences
which remain as unexplained and would then be shown as ‘0’ on the absence report. The PIW
will continue to contact the family until the reasons for absence can be established.

PROCEDURE FOR PARENTS TO INFORM SCHOOL OF ABSENCE

All parents are asked to inform school by 8.30 a.m. if their child is not going to be attending
school and for the reason of the absence. This can be done either by telephone call or by the
parent in person.

Horton Park Primary