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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is discrimation against those with disabilties?

56 replies

ComfortFoodCafe · 06/11/2025 16:34

my ds school have sent this out today saying your child needs 95 % attendance by the end of term to get a movie afternoon. Im guessing those who have lower attendance have to do work.
aibu to think this is disgraceful and discrimating against children who have disabilties and need time off school for it?

edit: Should I bring this up with the school? My child is one of these kids, their attendance is at 93 % from missing 3 days last term due to their disability.

To think this is discrimation against those with disabilties?
OP posts:
Violetmouse · 06/11/2025 16:45

My daughter had cancer 6 years ago, she's done very well and we feel very lucky but she still has a lot of appointments which are often in school time so mean she usually doesn't meet the threshold for whatever attendance reward the school are handing out. I've argued this successfully a few times now on exactly those grounds - cancer is legally defined as a disability so she should not be treated less favourably as a result. It still makes me cross every time it comes up. Definitely bring it up with school.

AnneLovesGilbert · 06/11/2025 16:42

“Every second counts”.

Absolute bollocks.

You won’t get anywhere if they’re taking that tone so I’d tell my child it’s a stupid rule and I’d have a special movie night at home.

DontGoJasonWaterfalls · 06/11/2025 16:40

They'll try and justify it because there's so much pressure from the government etc etc but it's crap, and I think being punished by missing a movie afternoon would have a much bigger effect on a child's confidence and self esteem than a week off with chickenpox.

DD had great attendance when she was at school but if she'd fallen below 95%, I'd have just taken her out of school on the movie day 🤷‍♀️

Biker47 · 06/11/2025 16:39

Shit like this has been happening since I was in school, and I left in 2004, and even I could see it was a load of bullshit back then. I just can't fathom why schools are still perpetuating with it, I understand fully they legally have to encourage attendance and what not, but can they not come with better solutions by now? When my kids start school, if they miss out on "rewards" due to attendance issues outside of their control, you'll be damn sure I'll be rewarding them myself.

ComfortFoodCafe · 06/11/2025 16:39

Keytoken · 06/11/2025 16:38

I think unless your child is one of them you have no idea what reasonable adjustments are made for children with disabilities.

My kid is one of these kids, there are no adjustments made.

OP posts:
Keytoken · 06/11/2025 16:38

I think unless your child is one of them you have no idea what reasonable adjustments are made for children with disabilities.