AIBU? DS was ill and the school have marked it as an unauthorised holiday and are threatening to fine me!

[WeAreEternal]

A couple of weeks ago DS (7) had an upset stomach, he D&V over night and most of the next day.
First thing in the morning (a Thursday) I called the school and let them know he was ill.
He was feeling better by the evening but as he had D&V school policy is 24 hours off, so I kept him off Friday too.

I received a letter from to school yesterday saying that those days have been marked as an unauthoried holiday as "although we received a phone call from you stating that (DS) was ill, we are led to believe that DS was in fact on a holiday to XXXX on these two dates"

The letter goes on to say that if he was genuinely ill they expect me to provide evidence such as a doctors appointment card, a prescription, a medication receipt or something simmilar that can "verify my version of events".

I am a medical professional, I know when when my DS needs medication or to see a GP or when he just has a bit of a stomach bug and needs rest and fluids.
Who would take a child to the GP or buy medication for D&V anyway?

How on earth can I prove that DS was ill?
And why are they even querying this?
AIBU to think this is bloody ridiculous?

Anyone have any ideas?

[bundaberg]

wtf? they're being utterly unreasonable and you should tell them that!

no-one takes their child to the doctors for d&v, and he wouldn't have required a script.

how bloody stupid

[Hettyjones]

I'd ring and check the facts. Assure them you were not on holiday and ask where on earth they got that idea from. Had you previously asked for those days off or could your DS have said something about a trip away and school have got the wrong end of the stick? Ring and clarify the situation. Good luck.

[CoffeeTea103]

Ask them to prove that you were on a holiday?

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

First thing - you might want to take your sons name off the post.

Second thing - are they fucking unreal? Everyone knows you don't take a child with d&v out because it's contagious. You only take them if it's very serious d&v.

[Shinyshoes1]

Something/one has led them to believe you took a holiday ... What makes them think that and where's their proof

Personally , and Im NOT a medical professional , I would take my children to the docs for a D&V bug either .. It's a waste of resources.

If I were to give them medication I have diarolyte in the cupboard and would given them that


Ignore them .. They have to prove you went on holiday

[SparklyFucker]

I would be going bat shit fucking crazy with the Head over that! What a pile of patronising shit. Please tell me you've got an appointment to see her today?

[JinglingRexManningDay]

You've put DS name in your OP.

I would write a letter stating that your Ds was ill and you adhered to the schools policy on d&v episodes.

[AngelsLieToKeepControl]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Ask them to provide evidence he was at XXXX place on those dates and if they can't (which they obviously won't) you expect them to state in his records that he was indeed ill.

[eurochick]

That is pretty outrageous!

[FortyDoorsToNowhere]

Was a holiday booked if so get a copy of the cancelation.

Was you in work ( copy of your time sheet)

[sunbathe]

YANBU.

Take in a sample next time.

[FortyDoorsToNowhere]

Is that your child's name or made up

[bundaberg]

ha sun beat me to it, i was just going to say you should ask them if they'd like you to bring samples in next time

[SantanaLopez]

Can you prove that you were in work instead?

[Scholes34]

It sounds outrageous, but do we know the full story? Is there a reason why the school might be assuming you were on holiday?

I'd be extremely suprised if a school was routinely sending out such letters. The broken record approach is needed to confirm with the school that your son was ill.

[PatoBanton]

You don't have to prove anything. You've done nothing wrong.

I would be writing a letter on paper clarifying the exact circumstances of his absence and requesting that they inform you of the reasoning behind their bizarre accusation.

I would also be onto the HT immediately because I could not rest knowing people thought I was fabricating excuses.

Can you ring them up and make an appt to go in and discuss this? Get onto it right away and be firm, indignant and polite.

This needs sorting.

[DowntonTrout]

Why do they think you were on holiday? Have you any idea?

[3littlefrogs]

No GP is going to give you an appointment OR a certificate for a child with an upset tummy.
The head is being ridiculous.
However every school that my 3 dc have attended would not accept a phone call. I have always had to send a letter on the day they returned to school so that the letter can be put on file,

Did you send a signed absence letter?

[Kyrptonite]

My friend is being fined £60 because her DD was off with chickenpox. It's bloody insane what's happened since they changed the unauthorised absence system.

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

I've said it before on here, but ds1's school are threatening us with a fine for taking him to see another school! There's a proper code for the register, but they want it classed as unauthorised!

[Inertia]

They are ridiculous. I would ask for their evidence that you were on holiday because they are mistaken (assuming you weren't on holiday!).

I'd also tell them that if they are willing to pay for the medical note you will take your child to a doctor for every illness- it'd be a huge waste of their money and NHS resources though.

[KellyHopter]

Op hasn't actually said they weren't on holiday.

[bundaberg]

well more fool your friend if she pays it! i bloody wouldn't