Any school attendance/admin staff here?

Weetabixwithberries · 2023-07-20T16:36:15+00:00

My son has been suspended twice this year for 2 days each time, so 4 days of suspension. On his end of year report the suspensions are showing as "authorised absence" and have affected his overall percentage. I did contact the school to query it but haven't had a reply and they've broken up now. Is this right that it affects the overall attendance? I know he was absent from school but he couldn't have attended those days due to being suspended. I thought it would be similar to the snow day or strike days in that yes he is absent, but he couldn't have come to school anyway so there is a registration code for it that would mean it didn't count towards the attendance figure. I wondered if anyone was in the know on this.

Bunnyannesummers · 20/07/2023 17:39

I would assume as the suspensions are his fault that’s why. Snow days can’t be helped, so they are authorised.

autumnboys · 20/07/2023 17:40

It’s my understanding that they do count as absence, yes. A snow day or strike day is outside a child’s control, but I guess the thinking is that their behaviour isn’t and that’s what’s led to the suspension.

booktokbear · 20/07/2023 17:46

This is from a gov website. It says that it's an authorised absence.

Link here: www.rbkc.gov.uk/pdf/Absence%20Data%20-%20Absence%20and%20Attendance%20Codes%20Jan09.pdf

Loverofoxbowlakes · 20/07/2023 18:01

It was his fault he was absent so although authorised will still count against him.

Snow days and strokes generally use a different code in SIMS

Original poster

Weetabixwithberries · 20/07/2023 18:08

Thank you for all of your replies.

I was of the thinking that (yes it's his fault) as he couldn't attend school that it would have a different register code, like when he goes off to play hockey for example - he is "absent" but it doesn't count towards his attendance. From all of your replies I can see I was mistaken and its recorded as an absence.

OP posts:

Sherrystrull · 20/07/2023 19:15

I think the main concern needs to be why he was suspended twice this year rather than worrying about attendance codes.

PuttingDownRoots · 20/07/2023 19:18

My child has authorised absences that have affected her overall total. (It was "authorised educational activity") She wasn't in school so it seemed right to me.

Dorunrunrun · 20/07/2023 19:19

Sherrystrull · 20/07/2023 19:15

I think the main concern needs to be why he was suspended twice this year rather than worrying about attendance codes.

Gosh yes I’m sure she hasn’t thought about that 🙄

Sherrystrull · 20/07/2023 19:22

Who knows whether she has or not. She seems to think suspension is akin to strike days and snow days which is worrying in itself. Two suspensions imply that a continuing issue that is not resolved rather than a one off mistake.

Dorunrunrun · 20/07/2023 19:46

But that’s not the question she asked. Don’t be such a busybody!

Sherrystrull · 20/07/2023 19:56

Nice.

My comment wasn't personal or aggressive. Yours however...

Dorunrunrun · 20/07/2023 19:57

Your response was condescending and patronising. HTH.

Original poster

Weetabixwithberries · 20/07/2023 20:55

I came on to ask any school admin staff if they had any idea on this, I wasn't sure and I had asked the school but due to the time of year I won't get a reply now.
I have received helpful replies and thanked people for them.

I didnt realise that if I have a child who has messed up twice at school I couldn't ask about anything else.
I didnt think suspension was the same as strike and snow days I was giving an example, just like the hockey playing - of a scenario where you could be absent but it not effect your attendance.

@Sherrystrull your replies have been neither helpful or constructive and it seems like you've replied to try and make me feel like shit rather than answer my question. You have no idea my "main concern" or what has happened to cause the suspensions so maybe rather than act high and mighty just don't waste your time replying if you're going to be patronising.

I use this website for support which is why I felt comfortable asking what I did, i didnt think I'd have sly digs aimed at me. My son isn't the first or the last to be suspended from school and I am entitled to wonder something even if my son has been a dick at school and has had episodes of poor behaviour.

Again thank you for the replies, it's helpful to read other perspectives and has helped me see that actually the recording of the attendance is probably the right one.

OP posts:

Foxesandsquirrels · 21/07/2023 08:13

DD was suspended this year for 5 days and I had the same question! I was surprised too as she was sent work and expected to get on with it and no leave the house during school hours.

craggi · 21/07/2023 13:47

Weetabixwithberries · 20/07/2023 20:55

I came on to ask any school admin staff if they had any idea on this, I wasn't sure and I had asked the school but due to the time of year I won't get a reply now.
I have received helpful replies and thanked people for them.

I didnt realise that if I have a child who has messed up twice at school I couldn't ask about anything else.
I didnt think suspension was the same as strike and snow days I was giving an example, just like the hockey playing - of a scenario where you could be absent but it not effect your attendance.

@Sherrystrull your replies have been neither helpful or constructive and it seems like you've replied to try and make me feel like shit rather than answer my question. You have no idea my "main concern" or what has happened to cause the suspensions so maybe rather than act high and mighty just don't waste your time replying if you're going to be patronising.

I use this website for support which is why I felt comfortable asking what I did, i didnt think I'd have sly digs aimed at me. My son isn't the first or the last to be suspended from school and I am entitled to wonder something even if my son has been a dick at school and has had episodes of poor behaviour.

Again thank you for the replies, it's helpful to read other perspectives and has helped me see that actually the recording of the attendance is probably the right one.

Well said op 💐

Dadonmomsnet · 13/09/2024 11:45

booktokbear · 20/07/2023 17:46

This is from a gov website. It says that it's an authorised absence.

Link here: www.rbkc.gov.uk/pdf/Absence%20Data%20-%20Absence%20and%20Attendance%20Codes%20Jan09.pdf

Interesting, thanks for this. My adult teenager son (oxymoron) has been suspended for three days (I assume in the UK this is the same as excluded). Teachers have been marking his absence as unauthorized - which I rationalized to be consequential, but I will check with his (private) school after having read the description you provided.

Dadonmomsnet · 17/09/2024 11:55

Dadonmomsnet · 13/09/2024 11:45

Interesting, thanks for this. My adult teenager son (oxymoron) has been suspended for three days (I assume in the UK this is the same as excluded). Teachers have been marking his absence as unauthorized - which I rationalized to be consequential, but I will check with his (private) school after having read the description you provided.

Show quote history

It worked - the school marked his suspension absence as Excluded but no alternative provision made