Attendance & Absence
Attendance at Carr Infant School
Ensuring that your child arrives at school every day, on time, and ready to learn is the most important commitment we ask of parents and carers.
Our official school day starts at 8.55am
- Children arriving late, but within 30 minutes of this time will receive a late mark (L)
- Children arriving 30 or minutes after this time will receive a U code*.
Our official afternoon session starts at 1pm
- Children coming to school in the afternoon, but within 30 minutes of this time will receive a late mark (L) for the afternoon session.
- Children arriving 30 minutes after this time will receive a U code*.
* Please note the U code is an unauthorised absence for the session, as per DFE legal requirements.
We understand that children may occasionally need time off due to illness. However, when a child is consistently absent for even a day or a morning each week, there is a proven negative impact on their achievement, friendships, and overall well-being. Children arriving late to school at any time due to a medical or dental appointment receive an M code if it is 30 minutes or more after the official session times. Other attendance codes where children arrive after morning or afternoon registration can apply, such as I for illness.
Our Attendance Expectations
- We aim for at least 96.6% attendance for every pupil.
- Many of our pupils achieve 100% attendance throughout the year.
- Rewards for 100% attendance include certificates, stationery, and a special event at the end of the year.
Supporting Good Attendance
If a child’s attendance falls below 95%, we will:
- Send a reminder leaflet to parents, sharing the importance of good attendance.
If a child’s attendance falls below 90%, we will:
- Invite parents/carers for a meeting to discuss attendance and identify any support the school can provide.
- Work with families to help improve attendance where possible.
If a child’s attendance falls below 90%, we will:
- Refer to the Local Authority if attendance does not improve, as they have the power to take further action if necessary.
Regular attendance is essential to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. We appreciate the support of our families in making this a priority.
Request for Leave of Absence - What the Law Says
All children must attend school during term time. Schools and headteachers cannot authorise requests for leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
You can find our Absence Request Form on the 🔗 Forms Page, which includes further details about what may be considered ‘exceptional circumstances’.
You can find our full Attendance Policy on the 🔗 Policies & Key Documents page.
Unauthorised Absences
The school is required to automatically report the following types of absences as unauthorised:
- Family holidays taken at any time during the school term.
- Visiting relatives, family, or friends.
- Parental work or study commitments. (The University of York actively endorses children’s full attendance at school during term time.)
What the Headteacher Will Do
The Headteacher can only authorise an absence if it meets the definition of ‘exceptional circumstances’. Any other absence requests will be recorded as unauthorised on your child’s attendance record.
Attendance Champion
Our Senior Attendance Champion is Matt Oxley. For any queries regarding attendance please contact school reception at carrinfants.school@york.gov.uk
Important – From September 2026
If your child’s absence is recorded as unauthorised, a fixed penalty notice (fine) may be issued by City of York Council:
- First penalty notice: £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
- Second penalty notice (for the same parent and child): £160 if paid within 28 days.
- A third penalty notice cannot be issued for the same child within three years. If the national threshold for unauthorised absences is met a third time, alternative legal action will be taken.
These fines are issued under Sections 444A and 444B of the Education Act 1996, which allow local authority officers, schools, or the police to issue penalty notices in cases of unauthorised absence.
For further information, visit:
🔗 City of York Council – School Attendance