School Special Attendance Circumstance Record
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, excluding independent schools.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Blank fields · read-only preview
Complete this record only when the pupil's attendance involves one or more of the circumstances listed below. Complete only the fields relevant to the selected circumstance. Record attendance or absence for each applicable session using the appropriate national attendance code.
Pupil and record details
Pupil name
RequiredEnter the pupil's full name.
Written response
School admission number or other pupil identifier
RequiredUse the identifier used in the school's attendance records.
Written response
Date this record was made
RequiredEnter the date on which this record was completed.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Applicable attendance circumstance
Applicable circumstance
RequiredSelect the single circumstance primarily covered by this record. If more than one circumstance applies, create a separate record where appropriate.
Choose one
- Education provision arranged by a local authority
- Dual registration at another school
- Medical or dental appointment leave
- Maternity leave for a pregnant pupil
- Religious observance
- Illness, including physical or mental-health-related illness
Dates and sessions
Start date of the attendance circumstance
RequiredEnter the first date or session covered by this record.
- Day
- Month
- Year
End date of the attendance circumstance
RequiredEnter the final date or session covered by this record. For a single day, use the same date as the start date.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Number of sessions affected
RequiredEnter the number of school sessions covered by this record.
Number
Minimum: 0 · Maximum: 999
Attendance code and classification
National attendance code recorded
RequiredSelect the code recorded for the applicable session or sessions. For local-authority-arranged provision, record Code K and the nature of the provision. For dual registration, use Code D only for a session when the pupil is scheduled to attend the other registered school. For medical or dental appointment leave, use Code M where leave has been granted. For religious observance use Code R only for the qualifying day. For illness use Code I.
Choose all that apply
- K — Education provision arranged by a local authority
- D — Dual registered at another school
- M — Medical or dental appointment
- R — Religious observance
- I — Illness
- C — Leave of absence in exceptional circumstances, including applicable maternity leave
- Not applicable to the session recorded
Additional absence classification
RequiredSelect all classifications that apply to the period recorded.
Choose all that apply
- Long-term illness
- Recurring illness
- Physical illness
- Mental-health-related illness
- Qualifying single day set apart for religious observance
- Additional day or days requested beyond the qualifying religious-observance day
- Temporary attendance at another registered school
- Attendance at education provision arranged by a local authority
- Medical or dental appointment leave granted
- Maternity leave period
- None of these
Nature of local-authority-arranged education provision
Complete only when local-authority-arranged education provision is selected. Examples include attending courses at college or attending unregistered alternative provision.
Written response
Other registered school attended or scheduled to be attended
Complete only when dual registration is selected. Record the other school and the relevant session arrangement.
Written response
Supporting information and circumstances
RequiredRecord relevant facts, including the reason for the absence, the request or notification received, the exceptional circumstances considered where applicable, and any information relevant to long-term or recurring illness.
Written response
Decision or provider notification
Decision or notification status
RequiredSelect the status that applies to this record. Select more than one only where the record includes both a decision and a provider notification.
Choose all that apply
- Leave granted
- Leave not granted
- Absence notification received from education provider
- Education provider notification pending
- Attendance or absence recorded for the scheduled session
- Support or follow-up required
- Decision not yet made
Date provider notification was received
Complete only when an education provider notification is received.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Decision or notification details
RequiredRecord the decision-maker or notifying provider, the date of the decision or notification, and the basis for the action. For religious observance, identify the qualifying day. For maternity leave, record the period granted and the factors considered.
Written response
Support and follow-up
Support or follow-up actions
Complete when action is needed, particularly where illness absence is long-term or recurring. Record work with the family or other agencies, identified barriers and planned support.
Written response
Planned follow-up date
Complete when support or follow-up is required.
- Day
- Month
- Year