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Original poster

School won't send certificates

197 replies

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:03

My son’s school is refusing to post his A level certificates to him even though we have moved out of the area and I have offered to pay for recorded postage. They insist he has to collect them in person or send someone to collect them for him.
It is a 2 hour drive away and it is mad to expect one of us to drive there and back when they could just send them by post. They are being such a jobs worth about it.
Is there any legal action I can take to force them to send them?
They will only keep them for 5 years and do not say what they do with them after that.

OP posts:
Bournetilly · 21/05/2024 20:16

Just go and get them it’s really not that far. You have 5 years to collect them, I’m sure someone can collect them in 5 years.

Original poster
rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:15

@sunflowerfan that is a reasonable comment

OP posts:
sunflowerfan · 21/05/2024 20:14

At our school the post is collected by Royal Mail so sending them special delivery would mean someone had to take them to the post office.

Lougle · 21/05/2024 20:14

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:12

Why is arranging a courier or driving a 4 hour round trip considered a reasonable solution when the school could simply send them in the post? I i'm genuinely surprised so many of you think this is what I should do

Because they are official documents, highly sought after for fraud, and he'll need them for the rest of his working life.

footgoldcycle · 21/05/2024 20:14

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:12

Why is arranging a courier or driving a 4 hour round trip considered a reasonable solution when the school could simply send them in the post? I i'm genuinely surprised so many of you think this is what I should do

I'm sure the school don't want to be held responsible if they go missing in the post

ZipZapZoom · 21/05/2024 20:14

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:12

Why is arranging a courier or driving a 4 hour round trip considered a reasonable solution when the school could simply send them in the post? I i'm genuinely surprised so many of you think this is what I should do

Well if you honestly can't think of anyone who could collect them then you're not really leaving much wiggle room for alternative solution?

Original poster
rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:12

Why is arranging a courier or driving a 4 hour round trip considered a reasonable solution when the school could simply send them in the post? I i'm genuinely surprised so many of you think this is what I should do

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 21/05/2024 20:11

There are a few things you could do such as ask someone who lives nearby to get them and them post them to you. You must know someone from when you used to live there.

Alternatively just go and get them its 2 hour drive you are not going to Timbuktu.

Bumblebeeinatree · 21/05/2024 20:11

Just go and get them, make it an overnight bit of a holiday. You don't want to lose them. If they were posted and got lost what would be your options?

horseymum · 21/05/2024 20:11

In Scotland, everyone gets their certificate through the post on results day and a text with the results first thing. Why do you have to go into school to get them? The postal service is good enough for Scots!

PeonyAndBlushSuede · 21/05/2024 20:10

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:08

Courier? Really?

Don’t be rude OP.

What else do you expect people to say?

ZipZapZoom · 21/05/2024 20:10

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:07

No one reliable enough to trust with that and he is not in touch with them really.

Cross posted, I'm really surprised he doesn't have anyone who could collect them, it doesn't have to be one of his classmates it could be someone you know?

If that's the case then you will need to drive to pick them up.

Original poster
rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:10

@houseofpies I suppose they would argue they are not actually withholding them. And I would like them sent recorded or whatever which they would have to do. I guess that's why they don't want to do it.

OP posts:
amindatwork · 21/05/2024 20:09

It's his A level certificates. I would drive further than 2 hours to ensure having them in his possession!

Notamum12345577 · 21/05/2024 20:08

rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:03

My son’s school is refusing to post his A level certificates to him even though we have moved out of the area and I have offered to pay for recorded postage. They insist he has to collect them in person or send someone to collect them for him.
It is a 2 hour drive away and it is mad to expect one of us to drive there and back when they could just send them by post. They are being such a jobs worth about it.
Is there any legal action I can take to force them to send them?
They will only keep them for 5 years and do not say what they do with them after that.

My kids school has said as long as they send a email saying so and so is picking them up, and that person takes id when they do, it is fine

ZipZapZoom · 21/05/2024 20:08

Surely he has a friend or you have a trusted neighbour who could collect them and send them on?

Swissrollover · 21/05/2024 20:08

We had the same, after moving further than you. At some point about a year later, he returned to the area visiting friends, so I made sure he made an appointment with the school to collect them. Any chance of your DS doing the same?

Edited to add that he actually valued going back. He and his friend saw teachers who took time to speak with them as adults, and they got a nice sense of closure.

Original poster
rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:08

Courier? Really?

OP posts:
HouseofPies · 21/05/2024 20:08

Surely that’s a breach of GDPR as what authority do they have to keep the certificates after the child has left the school?

I’d probably send a sternly worded letter and enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

Original poster
rosieposie233 · 21/05/2024 20:07

No one reliable enough to trust with that and he is not in touch with them really.

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 21/05/2024 20:06

Sirzy · 21/05/2024 20:04

Can a friend from when he was at school not collect them and post them to you?

This. Or send a courier to collect.

Sirzy · 21/05/2024 20:04

Can a friend from when he was at school not collect them and post them to you?