While some Isle of Wight schools closed during the current heatwave, parents at schools that remained open were reminded that if they kept their children at home, their absences would be marked down as unauthorised.
Unauthorised absences could lead to fines for parents.
The Isle of Wight Council responded to County Press questions on the issue, after a parent sent us an email from a school that reminded them any absences would be marked down as "unauthorised."
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "The Isle of Wight Council has not issued any new or separate local policy in relation to attendance coding during the recent hot weather.
"We have shared existing national guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) with schools to support a consistent understanding of how attendance should be recorded.
"In line with DfE guidance, where a school remains open and is able to operate safely, pupils are expected to attend.
"In these circumstances, if a parent chooses to keep their child at home due to concerns about the heat, the absence would normally be recorded as unauthorised, in line with national expectations.
"However, schools are best placed to assess their own environments and the needs of their pupils and staff.
"Where a school, or part of a school, is required to close due to safety considerations, this should be recorded using the appropriate closure codes.
"Other codes may also apply in specific situations, for example, where there are transport disruptions or individual medical needs.
"There is therefore no inconsistency in approach.
"Any variation between schools reflects differences in local circumstances and operational decisions, all of which are supported within the DfE framework.
"We recognise this has been a challenging period for children, families and school staff, and schools have worked hard to respond with care while prioritising pupils’ wellbeing."
Some schools closed early, while others, such as Medina College and Carisbrooke College, closed altogether.
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