A simple drop down/notes box on each Register to allow the reason for code changes to be completed/selected at the time of change would ease workload with keeping the data up to date. Having a different tab to record the data separately to the register is not useful.
The DfE have said this should be a free format field and not a predefined drop down. The reason for using the tab solution, is that there is already a notes field that can be used for anything, whereas Reason for Change is solely for reason for change as guided by the DfE. It also highlights when any haven't been completed. We are investigating the addition of filters for the Reason for Change.
Absolutely. Given that this is now a DfE regulatory requirement, for the AM/PM registers it should not be possible to change a registration mark without entering the reason for change (ideally, as this Idea notes, with a drop-down of likely reasons, e.g. "N code resolved to present as pupil located", or "N code resolved as reason for absence received")
The current separate tab solution has all the appearance of a last-minute rush job. It is horribly clunky, so will either get forgotten, or may get filled in as a 'best guess' by someone other that the person making the change. And while it is at it is, surely at the very least it deperately needs a way to filter so that only the regulated AM and PM registrations appear...