According to DfE guidelines, registers must be closed after a certain time in the morning.  Therefore, if a student arrives after 9.15 (KS2) or 9.20am (EYFS/KS1), they cannot receive a late mark and will be given a 'U' code which is an unauthorised absence. 

If the lateness is due to a legitimate reason e.g. a medical appointment, the absence can be authorised.  Otherwise, the session is marked as an unauthorised absence.  A letter is sent home to parents informing them of this and the fact that they could be liable for a fixed penalty notice if the child receives 10 or more unauthorised absence sessions.

The school timings are as follows:

If your child arrives late to school, they must come to the office to sign in for a late mark, ‘L’.

If your child arrives after the registers have closed (times shown above), then they must come to the office to sign in for a ‘U’ mark. This is an unauthorised absence mark.

Parents’/Carers' Support for Good Punctuality

We would ask parents to support us in maintaining good punctuality by:-

• Ensuring that their children get up in plenty of time to be ready and prepared for school. 
• Ensuring their child has organised their bag and equipment the night before so that this does not delay departure in the morning.
• Discussing any issues of lateness to ensure this does not become a habit.