School attendance! Help!

[Strawberrybonbon3]

Hi everyone, im a bit worried really. A few months ago my 13 year old daughters school set me a letter to go in about her attendance, everytime I had kept her off she had been genuinely ill but she had been going to the school medical room alot and she told us that she was getting very bored. After the meeting she had stopped going there and promised she.would only go if she felt ill. Since then about 6 to 7 months ago shes only been 2 times and I know she.has on both times been genuinely ill. Anyway getting to the point since this meeting she has been off quite alot with 2 bugs then a bad chest and told she had asthma and a few odd days with flu . The school have been fine really. Then all last week she was very unwell being sick physically and off all week we took her to A&e and has a kidney.infection. The hospital gave her antibiotics and said she should be ok to go to school. She has been the last two days but.has come home tonight with terrible pains in her stomach and back, dizzy etc. I know shes not putting it on you can tell with your own kids. I can tell the school are going to be in touch again but I really dont know what to do.Any advice will be much appreciated thanks.

[Strawberrybonbon3]

Anyone?

[Walkingonsunshine00]

Since they are genuine reasons for absence tell them that, you have nothing to worry about

[Hassled]

What percentage level attendance are we talking? Have they told you? Does she like school - is there any element of her exaggerating how unwell she is to avoid school? Any friendship issues?

All you can really do is keep engaging with the school - tell them the truth, ask if they have any strategies which will help you, keep working with them - don't see them as the enemy. Schools are under huge pressures to maintain high attendance levels and the links between low attendance and low achievement have been shown, so they're bound to be concerned.

[sunshinemeg]

I'm a teacher. Don't worry too much. Most often if attendance falls below 80% it triggers these meeting requests automatically. They will want to discuss how to reduce her absence in the future where possible. They could also expect medical notes for future absences. Don't worry too much.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Dads attendance is about 80%. She's had one longish period of a few weeks off and then a few days here and there. She's been quite poorly though. School know what her main period of illness was for. They've never said anything to me.

In previous years dd has had over 95% attendance so I think school know she's not trying it on.

Why is she going to the medical room at school? Do you think that's genuine?

[Strawberrybonbon3]

I havent been told the percentage.but.im guessing about 85 87% . The one time she.whent.to medical room was after her injection at.school and felt dizzy, then the only other time was last week when she went and got sent home because she felt sick then was sick when we got home on the evening. I genuinely know she faking it and hasnt been since.the last meeting. Also.dont know whether to keep her off tomorrow as shes got terrible stomach.and back pains still and feeling sick and headache. I would probally send her but her stomach.is very swollen with this kidney infection too?? I hate the fact im scared of.her being ill but I know the.school have to act on low attendance.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I send dd in when she's feeling sick and/or has tummy pains or she'd be off every week!

She needs to be vomiting or unable to walk to get a day off school. I think I'm quite strict.

[Strawberrybonbon3]

Viva yes usually like that but.sges had alot bugs lately thing im worried about is that she was physically sick 4 times last.week with this kidney infection and if shes sick at school I cant collect her as working quite late?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I think you know her best so if you say she's too ill to go in then she is.

Id argue with any teacher that told me otherwise. I would also refuse to provide sick notes if told to. Not only is it a waste of time for a GP. I also can't take sick dd to the Drs just for a sick note. I go to work and leave her home alone, ill. If she's so ill she actually needs to see a Dr then obv I take her but otherwise no. I need to be at work.

She's been to the GP five times in 14 years. Twice in the last two months!