Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools use Code T: Gypsy, Roma Traveller absence in line with guidance from her Department on school attendance.

The contents of the school attendance register are governed by the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 as amended.

Schools are required to take the attendance register at the start of each morning session and once during each afternoon session. On each occasion, they must record whether every pupil is present, absent, attending an approved educational activity, or unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances.

The national attendance and absence codes enable schools to record and monitor attendance and absence in a consistent way and are used to collect statistics. The data helps schools, Local Authorities and the Government gain a greater understanding of the level of, and the reason for, absence and the delivery of education.

Schools are responsible for deciding which code they apply, and that it complies with the Regulations in the specific circumstances. This includes code T, which is used when the pupil’s parent is travelling for occupational purposes and the school, following a request from the parent, has granted the pupil a leave of absence. The Department’s guidance for schools and Local Authorities, ‘Working together to improve attendance’, provides advice on the national codes.