How to add a School Closure in SIMS

If your school is fully or partially closed due to the proposed teacher strike on Tuesday 5th July 2016, the Y code should be used.

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Code Y: Unable to Attend due to Exceptional Circumstances

If a school has to close for some or all pupils on a strike day, the Y code should be used for pupils who are not required to attend. Pupils who are required to attend should be marked down in the usual way. The Y code does not count towards the pupil or school’s absence record. Where a pupil is required to be in school on a strike day but does not attend, the pupil should be recorded as absent. Excerpt from 'Handling Strike Action in Schools' - DfE, October 2014

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Creating an Exceptional Circumstance in SIMS

• Select Focus | Attendance (or Lesson Monitor) | Exceptional Circumstances
• Click the New button to display the Create an Exceptional Circumstance page
• Enter the dates e.g. from 05/07/2016 AM to 05/07/2016 PM
• By default the Group Type is displayed as Whole School. If a different group is required, select this from the drop down list and then click on Search to refresh the display.
• Select the required Attendance code from the drop down list i.e. Y
• Enter the reason in the Description field e.g. Teachers Strike Day
• Highlight the pupils/students e.g. Whole School
• Click the Apply button; you will see a message confirming that the marks have been applied.

If you require any assistance with this process please call us on 0345 222 1551 • Option 3 or email the SIMS Service Desk.