Absence policy - sort of!

[angeldiver]

We live 30 miles from school, kept dd in as GCSE years.
Our orthodontist is between home and school.
I have been getting the first appointment of the day, 8am, and getting dd into school asap. The latest she has arrived is 9:30am, part way through p1. The other 2 occasions she arrived between registration and p1.
This has resulted in 3 absences.

I think this is harsh, school do not differentiate between a child who arrives at 9:05am or 2:20pm (afternoon registration).
When I questioned the school about it, they said they were following legal guidelines in giving her a full sessions absence.
I can't find any reference to these guidelines on our county council website, or any other website.

Am I being a little snippy that I think this is wrong?
If she leaves 10 mins prior to the end of the day, her attendance record is unaffected.

They are correct. A student arriving 'late after registration has closed' is recorded as absent for whole session. Absence code U if unauthorised but in your case should be absence code M (medical appointment which is authorised). Guidance here: media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/doc/a/aa-ac/absence%20and%20attendance%20codes.doc#_Toc170886998

Thank you for that.

I've had to book many appointments recently for DD for all sorts of reasons. I started to send her in to school for morning registration, leave for the appointment then make sure she's back for afternoon registration. Crazy, as she might only be in school for half an hour before leaving but it is the only way to get around the attendance policy. Alternatively, I've made appointments for mid afternoon, after afternoon registration.

I do that too MEgirl crazy that the school are actually happier with that too. I have before now dropped her off at the gate and gone round to the office to pick her up once she gets the tick in the box, while other children are still arriving (late). The school think it is a good idea .

Booking her appointment for after afternoon registration will keep her attendance % up. (Crazy I know)
Ds2 (at primary school) has hospital appointments and another mum in the same boat told me about this loophole. Before, he'd miss 45mins tops. Now it's the whole afternoon. I used to have letters threatening the attendance officer but this year he has 100% attendance despite missing a few afternoons.

We would/could mark a student in as L (present) rather than U (unauthorised absence - late after register closed) or M (medical) at 9:30. I can't remember the exact wording in the guidance but there is flexibility in how late 'registers close' is.

Just to add, it seems silly as the school is cutting off it's not to spite its face. It's an absence on their figures but probably not of huge consequence to you!

Take her in the afternoon or morning after she is,already marked in at registration.

They are right. Can you book an afternoon appointment?