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Original poster

School made malicious & false report to police

127 replies

1993baby · 13/12/2024 12:34

I have previously posted on here about my DD’s school constantly harassing us about attendance..
For example, my DD was in hospital, they called me every single morning asking where she was?and when she would be back in school. She had chickenpox, they wanted me to send her into school despite the governments rules about keeping her off. The list goes on...

My DD, age 5, was recently diagnosed with hearing loss and has naturally, really been struggling in school. She is waiting for hearing aids to be fitted.

She obviously struggles to hear the teacher in class. Other background noises, such as loud noises from the other children, upset her.
She can’t cope with a full day at school it is completely exhausting and draining her that whenever I pick her up, she has huge meltdowns, screaming crying and really upset 😔

In the mornings she is that anxious and worried about going to school that she is physically sick and vomits.

One morning, she didn’t want to go to school and was clinging onto my leg, the teacher came and physically dragged her off me, picked her up and took her into the classroom. She was screaming “mummy mummy” as she was dragging her away. It was awful.

I have spoken to the headteacher and the SENCO. They have not been supportive either.

They sent me a message saying that a plan needs to be put in place in order for her to return to school..Then the next day sent me a message asking where she was and why she was not at school

  • As if they were completely oblivious to everything, despite having multiple conversations with the SENCO, headteacher, attendance officer.
They knew why she wasn’t at school but pretended not to? It’s crazy

Yesterday, 2 police officers came to our house and said the school had called 999 as an emergency and said that they have had no contact with us and that they are extremely worried for the safety of my child.

However, I had messaged the school in the morning giving an update.

I immediately showed the messages to the police officer, who checked the time of the report and told me that they had definitely reported us AFTER I sent that update.

They called 999 at half past 3, after school had finished. I messaged in the morning, they even replied to me and said “thank you for the information”

So the school has been caught out with their lies.

The police officer said in her professional opinion, someone at the school has a personal vendetta against us and has maliciously reported us to the police.

The police officer said she will record this as being a malicious and fraudulent complaint.

She said that whoever reported us from the school was very aware and it was definitely orchestrated as she said they deliberately used all the “trigger words” that would mean such a response from the police.
So they knew what they were doing, it wasn’t a normal or genuine concern.

The police offers were actually shocked by the behaviour of the school. I explained everything the school has done and they said it is definitely harassment.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to take any legal action against the school for this harassment/false report to police etc ?

OP posts:
3peassuit · 13/12/2024 13:49

I’m shocked at the bullying behaviour. I’d be loath to let these people near a child. Your faith in the school to teach and care for your child is understandably gone. I’d homeschool for now if at all possible and start looking for a more supportive school.

Dinoswearunderpants · 13/12/2024 13:52

Sorry you're going through this OP. I also recommend looking at alternative schools. Are you in a position to home school in the mean time? If so, that could be an good option.

I would be asking the school for a formal apology and see how to escalate this. Could you report it to the local council Sorry my little one hasn't started school yet so I'm not sure on the hierarchy.

Araminta1003 · 13/12/2024 13:52

I would look into any local primary schools that specialise in children with hearing loss. It would make a huge difference if you have one locally.

housethatbuiltme · 13/12/2024 13:53

verysmellyjelly · 13/12/2024 13:14

I remember your previous thread OP, and how appallingly they have behaved with respect to your daughter. I'm sorry you are getting the usual response on here of "you must be in the wrong somehow". As discussed before, that isn't always the case and sometimes people in authority do take against a person. It can and does happen. Ignore the unhelpful replies. I think you should definitely be looking at moving your DD as it seems there is no hope of improving relations with school.

No one is saying OP is wrong about the issues at school but OP is clearly highly emotionally charged and has told some very obvious untruths about the police situation which will ruin her credibility.

She needs to take a deep breath, remove the anger and bias and put that energy into making sure her child gets moved to a more suitable school environment.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 13/12/2024 13:55

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Squeekey · 13/12/2024 13:55

MiraculousLadybug · 13/12/2024 13:04

Schools can't win. When you don't send your child to school and they don't routinely know why (as you said in your last thread you don't follow the absence policy and you don't ring them every morning of the absence) and they go out of their way to ask, and one time they follow it up with appropriate services when they don't know where your children are on a regular basis, people say it's harassment.

When they don't follow it up properly, and something awful happens like Sara Sharif, everyone says it's the school's fault. I think the school's only issue is they followed it up the one time you actually told them where your child was and that message never reached the DSL from admin.

Edited

From the other thread it seems that the school were expecting the OP to phone in daily when her daughter was in hospital. The same on day 2 of chickenpox.

The phone ever day policy is surely for when it's unclear whether a child will be cooking back that day. Just like with work your might phone in every day with the flu, but not if you were using a hysterectomy. Bonkers.

mmmarmalade · 13/12/2024 13:55

I'm relieved to see that the art of critical thinking isn't completely dead around here.

AegonT · 13/12/2024 13:57

You need to change schools. That sounds absolutely awful. Attendance officers have gone mad after the most recent government guidance. The guidance is for a very good reason and a lot of kids need support to come back to school but the kids and parents who don't fit the profile the guidance is for are getting beat over the head with it!

schmeler · 13/12/2024 13:58

Yeah police absoloutly do not say and do that on a call. They may assure you that its a mistake and they will file it as wrong report but they will not say the school has a 'vendetta' against you, or are 'malicious' or that they are 'shocked' and its 'definitely harassment'. Its not within the rights to come to that conclusion or within their job allowance to say that to you.

True! And it doesn't meet the legal definition of harassment so the police would not label it legally as harassment when it wasn't.

Highlandfandango · 13/12/2024 13:59

Amongst many many things going on here you need to be jumping up and down to get the local council “teacher for the deaf” to come in and do a school visit. They can also visit you at home.

They are your daughters advocate for all things hearing related. If she has hearing loss warranting aids then she should be on their register.

Contact specialist children’s services at your council and also PALS if that isn’t straightforward. What support has the audiology department given you so far?

Original poster
1993baby · 13/12/2024 14:02

@housethatbuiltme

OP has told some very obvious untruths?

it is you that is telling untruths, not me.

why do you feel the need to blame people with lies?

Everything I wrote in my post is true.

The police officer said that they have a police school liaison and could have told them BUT instead they called 999 so they had to come.

The police said as it was a call for a child welfare THEY make the decision there and then as to the situation and state that on their report. It is their decision that influences the next course of events.
So they DO have the authority to deem it as a malicious report.

There was clear evidence the school had lied and it was obvious to the police it was malicious and that’s what they have officially recorded it as.

It is now in the system as a malicious report.
She said any future calls to the police from the school, police officers will see it was recorded as malicious.

My partner was home too and heard everything the police said :)

Stop accusing people of lying!

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 13/12/2024 14:03

The situation is now, that the relationship between the school and family seems to be irretrievably broken and I think the best course of action to to investigate other local schools to see if they have a place in Year R or Year 1, depending on which your daughter is in. Bear in mind that there is a cap on numbers in those years, so they are unlikely to go over 30 per class. Since she has hearing loss and will need some adaptations to enable her to access the curriculum, you could see if there is any flexibility based on that.

You could also make a parental request for an assessment of her needs (EHNCA) which could lead to an EHCP and some very specific support.

I’d suggest looking at other schools as soon as you can. It’s close to the end of term and it would be good to have some plan for the new term. I think the best thing you can do is to focus on a more positive future for your child in school.

hydriotaphia · 13/12/2024 14:04

"She said any future calls to the police from the school, police officers will see it was recorded as malicious."
If true that is absolutely staggering, not to mention incredibly frightening for the welfare of your child.

ASimpleLampoon · 13/12/2024 14:04

There is advice on the NSPCC website on what you can do if someone has made a malicious complaint.

I'd get in touch with the local authority about getting an ECHP for your child and also contact Children's services to get support in place on grounds of disability. Now your child has school trauma to deal with on tip of everything else its not on.

WinterBones · 13/12/2024 14:05

Just a reminder that if you don't believe the OP then report her.

She is here for support and advice on next steps, not for people to rip her thread to shreds because they don't believe her.

PigInADuvet · 13/12/2024 14:06

I agree that school could and should be doing more to support your daughter and I'd be looking at alternatives particularly ask questions about supporting children with hearing loss.

However, needing to call daily to report absence is very normal. Messages and emails may not get picked up in a timely manner. Our schools policy is that a parent must call daily regardless of the absence reason (i.e. things that will naturally require more than one day off still need a daily call) before 8:45am, and if you don't they're on the phone by 9am. They have a clear escalation policy for what happens if there is no communication.

You've only got to look at the news to get an idea of why schools have strict policies on such things. Heaven forbid on that one occasion they don't follow up and a child was at risk of harm.

trivialMorning · 13/12/2024 14:07

Does anyone know if it’s possible to take any legal action against the school for this harassment/false report to police etc ?

Possibly but it would take time energy and money for what outcome.

Time would IMO be better spent changing schools and working with LEA if they are helpful.

We had situation with one of mine just before GCSE - not actual teachers - but support staff luckily provable lies but the stress was huge - it was shockingly unprofessional and eye opening - very hard to fight so you have to focus on what you need to get and here it sound like a more supportive school.

dutysuite · 13/12/2024 14:08

I would look for a new school, but wouldn’t just go silently. I would lodge a complaint with all the relevant bodies. If someone is doing this to be malicious they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. I will say though in light of the recent case of the little girl Sara, I have no problem myself in schools requesting a call every day of absence or wanting to have updates.

Fridgetapas · 13/12/2024 14:09

I would try and move schools OP I don’t think you’re going to be able to have a positive relationship with the school now and that’s vital - to feel that your child is going to be safe and well cared for and have a good opinion of the staff.

GermanBite · 13/12/2024 14:10

1993baby · 13/12/2024 14:02

@housethatbuiltme

OP has told some very obvious untruths?

it is you that is telling untruths, not me.

why do you feel the need to blame people with lies?

Everything I wrote in my post is true.

The police officer said that they have a police school liaison and could have told them BUT instead they called 999 so they had to come.

The police said as it was a call for a child welfare THEY make the decision there and then as to the situation and state that on their report. It is their decision that influences the next course of events.
So they DO have the authority to deem it as a malicious report.

There was clear evidence the school had lied and it was obvious to the police it was malicious and that’s what they have officially recorded it as.

It is now in the system as a malicious report.
She said any future calls to the police from the school, police officers will see it was recorded as malicious.

My partner was home too and heard everything the police said :)

Stop accusing people of lying!

*it is you that is telling untruths, not me.

why do you feel the need to blame people with lies?

Stop accusing people of lying!*

It seems that op can call everyone else a liar but will also be annoyed with anyone questioning her.

What a surprise that she's experiencing conflict with someone.

Createausername1970 · 13/12/2024 14:10

Whatever the full story is, your relationship with this school has broken down.

I would agree with other posters. De-register her on Monday morning. You can Google the appropriate wording for a letter - I think one web site was Education Otherwise.

Concentrate on her reading, spelling and maths at home, don't worry about trying to follow a curriculum. Get her hearing sorted out, then look for another school and get the ball rolling for an EHCP for her hearing loss. Also consider Makaton at home. It's quite common in schools I believe.

When you approach the next schools, be honest that she had undiagnosed hearing loss when she started school and it caused a lot of issues, as well as the other health issues that left her hospitalised.

Schools do generally want a phone call every day, but if a child has a definite reason for not being in for a few days (hospital or chickenpox) then every second or third day is quite usual.

The school sound like they have concerns about you. Whether these are justified or not, it will be hard to get past it on both sides.

ASimpleLampoon · 13/12/2024 14:10

1993baby · 13/12/2024 14:02

@housethatbuiltme

OP has told some very obvious untruths?

it is you that is telling untruths, not me.

why do you feel the need to blame people with lies?

Everything I wrote in my post is true.

The police officer said that they have a police school liaison and could have told them BUT instead they called 999 so they had to come.

The police said as it was a call for a child welfare THEY make the decision there and then as to the situation and state that on their report. It is their decision that influences the next course of events.
So they DO have the authority to deem it as a malicious report.

There was clear evidence the school had lied and it was obvious to the police it was malicious and that’s what they have officially recorded it as.

It is now in the system as a malicious report.
She said any future calls to the police from the school, police officers will see it was recorded as malicious.

My partner was home too and heard everything the police said :)

Stop accusing people of lying!

@1993baby I believe you. There are some innocent little blessed hearts who believe in just systems and has never encountered this. Ignorance is bliss!

I'm a parent of a disabled child and while I have fared slightly better, I have seen this happen to other families.

Enterthedragonqueen · 13/12/2024 14:11

Move your daughter out of that school because she's not safe there & notify your MP and Ofsted of the school's behaviour. Also, write to the school governors notifying them of the teacher's malicious behaviour in case they get a different version of events. Then move your dd out for her own safety.

https://complain.ofsted.gov.uk/

Start Page - Ofsted

https://complain.ofsted.gov.uk

oakleaffy · 13/12/2024 14:11

GermanBite · 13/12/2024 13:30

I find it really hard to believe that the police would record a safeguarding call from a 4 year old's school as malicious.

Especially in the light of recent events where police had the harrowing call to find Poor Sara.

Schools have to be responsible.

DowntonNabby · 13/12/2024 14:11

1993baby · 13/12/2024 14:02

@housethatbuiltme

OP has told some very obvious untruths?

it is you that is telling untruths, not me.

why do you feel the need to blame people with lies?

Everything I wrote in my post is true.

The police officer said that they have a police school liaison and could have told them BUT instead they called 999 so they had to come.

The police said as it was a call for a child welfare THEY make the decision there and then as to the situation and state that on their report. It is their decision that influences the next course of events.
So they DO have the authority to deem it as a malicious report.

There was clear evidence the school had lied and it was obvious to the police it was malicious and that’s what they have officially recorded it as.

It is now in the system as a malicious report.
She said any future calls to the police from the school, police officers will see it was recorded as malicious.

My partner was home too and heard everything the police said :)

Stop accusing people of lying!

I apologise for doubting you regarding the 999 call and the school officer.

It's bizarre the school escalated it like that. Is there a back story? Have you had any previous dealings with social services before your DD started school that would have put you on the attendance radar once she started? Is it a particular member of staff – ie, teacher, someone in the office – who is always chasing you up? You were married but mention a partner now – is your ex-husband stirring things?

As other PP have said though, your relationship with this school has now irretrievably broken down. They won't want to deal with you as much as you don't want to deal with them now, so instead of wasting time and effort on pursuing a formal complaint, I'd put all my energies into finding a new school where your daughter's hearing loss can be properly supported.

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