Attendance Register Session and Code Operation Procedure

Application

This procedure applies to maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, except schools where all pupils are boarders. It applies to each pupil whose name is listed in the admission register at the time the attendance register is taken.

Session timetable

The morning attendance register must be taken at the beginning of the morning session. The morning session begins at the school's published start time, [morning session start time]. Earlier voluntary provision, such as a breakfast club, does not form part of the morning session.

An attendance register must be taken once during the afternoon session at [afternoon session register time]. Where a substantial break, such as lunch, separates the sessions, lessons after the break are a different session and require the afternoon register.

Register timing

The register must be taken at the same time for all pupils registered at the school on each occasion. The applicable register-opening period is [register opening period], and the register must be kept open for no more than 30 minutes.

Attendance and absence codes

On each occasion the register is taken, enter the appropriate national attendance or absence code for every pupil whose name is listed in the admission register at that time. This includes pupils of compulsory and non-compulsory school age.

A pupil who is a boarder is excluded from this coding requirement. Where all pupils at the school are boarders, this procedure does not apply.