School Late-Arrival Pattern Review Checklist
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Who this checklist is for
- Attendance leads, pastoral staff, senior leaders, and other staff responsible for reviewing late-arrival records in maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England.
- Jurisdiction
- england
15 checklist steps
Blank response areas · preview only
Confirm applicability
Use this review where the school monitors late arrival. Apply it in a way that reflects the school's attendance arrangements and the patterns identified.
Record the review period
Response required
Enter the start and end dates or other local period covered by this review.
Review period
Identify the records reviewed
Response required
Record the attendance, late-arrival, register, communication, or other records used for the review.
Records or systems reviewed
Review the school's attendance arrangements
Check the relevant attendance policy or local attendance arrangements, including how the school defines and records late arrival and when the register is closed.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Record relevant local arrangements
Response required
Record the local definition, recording approach, register-opening and register-closing arrangements, and any session-specific arrangements relevant to this review.
Local attendance arrangements
Review late-arrival entries
Review the records for the selected period and identify pupils or groups with late-arrival entries, using the school's recording arrangements.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Record observed patterns
Response required
Record the patterns identified, such as recurrence for an individual pupil, concentration on particular days or sessions, year groups, locations, transport arrangements, or other relevant circumstances. Do not infer a reason that is not supported by the records or information obtained.
Observed patterns and supporting records
Check whether explanations were sought
For each relevant late-arrival pattern, check the available records to establish whether an explanation was sought from the parent.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Record explanation-seeking outcomes
Response required
Record whether an explanation was sought, the date or method of contact where recorded, the response received, and any uncertainty or missing information. Keep the record factual and proportionate.
Explanation-seeking record and outcome
Consider the appropriate response
For each identified pattern, consider a proportionate response that reflects the school's attendance arrangements, the information available, and the circumstances recorded.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Record the response
Response required
Record the response selected, the reason for it, and any relevant communication or support offered. If no response is currently selected, record why and what information is needed.
Proportionate response and rationale
Assign follow-up actions
Response required
For each pattern requiring further work, record the action, the person or role responsible, and the planned review or completion date.
Action, owner or role, and planned date
Record follow-up status
Select the current status of the review's follow-up work.
Choose one
- Not started
- In progress
- Awaiting information
- No further action recorded
Record review notes
Record any limitations, safeguarding or welfare concerns requiring referral under the school's procedures, data-quality issues, and matters to revisit in a later review.
Review notes
Set the next review point
Response required
Record when the school intends to revisit the identified patterns or actions, using the school's attendance arrangements and operational needs.
Next review point