Page 12 | To find it increasingly annoying, that parents send clearly ill children into school

Howarewealldoing · 2025-12-14T13:39:37+00:00

As the title states really, why do parents continue to send clearly ill children into school . When they should A. Be at home resting and recovering B. Stop spreading their illness on to everyone else It’s not fair on the child and everyone else , and I find it incredibly selfish

HolTimeAgain · 14/12/2025 13:51

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:44

Schools do not have an issue with children being off when ill . It’s when parents lie and take them on holiday etc .

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School's absolutely do have an issue with children being off when ill. All illnesses at my DC's are marked as unauthorised unless the parent provides evidence of a doctor's appointment - not all require a trip to the doctor so what do you do? That will cover you for day 1, day 2 requires evidence of prescribed medication.

I received a phone call querying why I had said that my DC with a sickness bug would be off school for two days, apparently at their school only 24 hours absence is required.

I don't want to send them in any more than they feel well enough to go in but every unauthorised absence adds up and no, I don't take them out for holidays.

OneGreySeal · 14/12/2025 13:51

I agree op it’s neglect. I worked with someone who put her little girl in breakfast club and after school club all day when she had a temp. She ignored the school’s calls. Her job was higher level administrative/management. We were horrified and told her to go but she was of the opinion work came first.

NormasArse · 14/12/2025 13:51

I had pneumonia three times in one year when I worked in school. Never had it since.

Germy little beasties!

Original poster

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:51

pforpig · 14/12/2025 13:47

I kept my day off for a week because she was throwing up. I went to the Drs and was told to ride it out. The school didn’t like that even after phoning up every morning and emailing the Drs proof, they said they will have to see if the Head approves it. So I took her in the following day and she threw up and they phoned me up to collect her.

That’s ridiculous, I’ve never had an issue when reporting illness to the school . The school is clearly in the wrong .

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LadyKenya · 14/12/2025 13:50

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:44

Schools do not have an issue with children being off when ill . It’s when parents lie and take them on holiday etc .

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That is complete rubbish, for a start.

KiwiFall · 14/12/2025 13:50

Ours kids’ school had a policy against illness. If off more than a handful of days the pupil couldn’t go on the end of year trip. Pure madness to me. Especially when teachers are then off ill.

DeathBanana · 14/12/2025 13:49

We’ve been firmly and repeatedly told that a cough / cold isn’t a reason to stay home.

It’s a pretty tough call when you’re rushing in the morning to get out the door whether it’s bad enough or whether they’ll perk up come 9am.

modgepodge · 14/12/2025 13:49

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:47

Parents have to work but if children are ill they need to come first . The same.way an adult would have time off if clearly sick . School don’t have an issue children having time of if ill . They have an issue with parents lying and taking kids on holiday

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There are plenty of jobs where taking time off sick is such a hassle/frowned upon that people drag themselves in if at all possible - clearly not in every instance but I know as a teacher I almost never called in sick. There were plenty of times when I’d have loved to but th hassle and the number of people it affected meant I soldiered on. I suspect NHS jobs are similar, and plenty of others.

I only keep my kids off for vomiting/diarrhoea really. They’ve never had a cold bad enough I thought it necessary.

Justlostmybagel · 14/12/2025 13:49

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:47

Parents have to work but if children are ill they need to come first . The same.way an adult would have time off if clearly sick . School don’t have an issue children having time of if ill . They have an issue with parents lying and taking kids on holiday

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That's just not how life works though for a lot of people. The children come first, but in a way that keeps a roof over their head and that means going to work.

Original poster

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:48

madamegazelle1 · 14/12/2025 13:47

Don't agree that parents send really ill children in because they are worried about attendance figures- never known a school that would prefer attendance over the spreading of illness

Exactly I have never had an issue reporting my kids illness. If she is off school when genuinely ill .

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Megifer · 14/12/2025 13:48

Depends what you mean by ill. Clearly ill with something but they feel ok then in they go of course. Too ill as in feeling unwell to be in school then no, i keep them off.

Im the same at the min. Have obviously got a virus but its fairly low level and I feel ok, so ive been going in to the office when needed.

pforpig · 14/12/2025 13:47

I kept my day off for a week because she was throwing up. I went to the Drs and was told to ride it out. The school didn’t like that even after phoning up every morning and emailing the Drs proof, they said they will have to see if the Head approves it. So I took her in the following day and she threw up and they phoned me up to collect her.

Original poster

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:47

Justlostmybagel · 14/12/2025 13:43

Because people have to work.
Because schools send threatening letters, if your child is off too much.

Parents have to work but if children are ill they need to come first . The same.way an adult would have time off if clearly sick . School don’t have an issue children having time of if ill . They have an issue with parents lying and taking kids on holiday

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madamegazelle1 · 14/12/2025 13:47

Don't agree that parents send really ill children in because they are worried about attendance figures- never known a school that would prefer attendance over the spreading of illness

Justlostmybagel · 14/12/2025 13:46

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:44

Schools do not have an issue with children being off when ill . It’s when parents lie and take them on holiday etc .

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Wrong. You get the threatening letters for genuine sickness too.

Original poster

Howarewealldoing · 14/12/2025 13:44

Barrenfieldoffucks · 14/12/2025 13:41

Presumably cause the school crack down on absence and they have to work.

Schools do not have an issue with children being off when ill . It’s when parents lie and take them on holiday etc .

OP posts:

Justlostmybagel · 14/12/2025 13:43

Because people have to work.
Because schools send threatening letters, if your child is off too much.

madamegazelle1 · 14/12/2025 13:42

Completely agree! I know it can be tricky if you're working but it is so unfair knowingly sending them in to pass it round. Not to mention issues with staffing when they get it

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 14/12/2025 13:41

Unfortunately the schools sort of ask for it with attendance percentages and stuff. We have been fortunate that the kids haven’t needed time off school the last term but I can see why some parents feel they have no choice but to send their kids in.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 14/12/2025 13:41

Presumably cause the school crack down on absence and they have to work.