A list of 32 attendance codes for English schools

DfE Attendance and Absence Codes

Attending the School

• / \ – Present: Indicates that the pupil is present at the school. “/” is used for the morning session and “\” for the afternoon session. Pupils are marked as present if they are in school during registration, even if they leave afterwards.
• L – Late Arrival Before the Register Closes: Used when a pupil arrives late but before the register is closed. Schools should discourage lateness and monitor patterns of late arrival.

Attending a Place Other Than the School

• K – Attending Education Provision Arranged by the Local Authority: Used when a pupil is attending educational provision arranged by the local authority at a place other than the school. Examples include attending courses at college or alternative provision like home tutoring.
• V – Attending an Educational Visit or Trip: Indicates that a pupil is attending an educational visit or trip arranged by or on behalf of the school. The activity must be supervised by school staff.
• P – Participating in a Sporting Activity: Used for pupils attending an approved sporting activity. The activity must be educational and supervised by a qualified individual.
• W – Attending Work Experience: Used when a pupil is attending work experience as part of their education. The work experience must be approved and supervised appropriately.
• B – Attending Any Other Approved Educational Activity: Covers other approved educational activities that are not sports or work experience. Examples include attending taster days or courses at another institution.
• D – Dual Registered at Another School: Used for pupils registered at more than one school. This code indicates that the pupil is attending another registered school, such as a pupil referral unit or special school.

Authorised Absence Codes

• C1 – Leave of Absence for Regulated Performance or Employment Abroad: Indicates authorised leave for participating in a performance or employment abroad with appropriate licensing or exemption.
• M – Leave of Absence for Medical or Dental Appointment: Used when a pupil is absent for a medical or dental appointment. Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments outside school hours where possible.
• J1 – Leave of Absence for Interviews: Used for attending an interview for employment or admission to another educational institution.
• S – Leave of Absence for Studying for a Public Examination: Granted for study leave for public examinations. Schools should ensure provision is available for pupils who wish to revise at school.
• X – Non-Compulsory School Age Pupil Not Required to Attend: Used for pupils who are not of compulsory school age and are not expected to attend school for every session.
• C2 – Leave of Absence for a Part-Time Timetable: Used when a pupil is on a temporary part-time timetable agreed between the school and parents.
• C – Leave of Absence for Exceptional Circumstances: Granted at the school’s discretion for exceptional circumstances not covered by other codes, such as family emergencies.
• T – Parent Travelling for Occupational Purposes: Used for pupils travelling with parents engaged in a trade or business that requires them to move frequently.
• R – Religious Observance: Used for absences on days set apart for religious observance by the pupil’s religious body.
• I – Illness: Covers absences due to physical or mental health-related illnesses. Schools may request evidence if the authenticity of the illness is in doubt.
• E – Suspended or Permanently Excluded with No Alternative Provision: Used for pupils suspended or excluded without alternative educational provision made.

Absent – Unable to Attend Due to Unavoidable Cause

• Q – Lack of Access Arrangements: Used when a pupil cannot attend due to a local authority’s failure to provide necessary access arrangements.
• Y1 – Transport Not Available: Used when the transport normally provided by the school or local authority is unavailable.
• Y2 – Widespread Disruption to Travel: Used for absences due to local, national, or international travel disruptions.
• Y3 – Part of the School Closed: Used when part of the school premises is closed, and pupils cannot be accommodated.
• Y4 – Whole School Site Unexpectedly Closed: Used for unexpected school closures, such as those caused by adverse weather conditions.
• Y5 – Pupil in Criminal Justice Detention: Used when a pupil is in police detention or youth custody.
• Y6 – Unable to Attend Due to Public Health Guidance or Law: Used when attendance is contrary to public health guidance or prohibited by law.
• Y7 – Any Other Unavoidable Cause: Used for absences due to emergencies or unavoidable causes not covered by other codes.

Unauthorised Absence Codes

• G – Holiday Not Granted by the School: Used for unauthorised holidays taken without the school’s approval.
• N – Reason for Absence Not Yet Established: Used when the reason for absence is unknown. Schools must update this code once the reason is ascertained.

Absent in Other or Unknown Circumstances: Used for absences without an acceptable reason or where the reason given is not satisfactory.

• U – Arrived After Registration Closed: Used when a pupil arrives after the register has closed but before the end of the session.

Administrative Codes

• Z – Prospective Pupil Not on Admission Register: Used to set up registers in advance for pupils joining the school. It is not used for statistical purposes.
• # – Planned Whole School Closure: Used for planned closures such as holidays, weekends, or INSET days. Not collected for statistical purposes.