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Original poster

Unauthorised absences.. please help

60 replies

KLou30 · 09/02/2022 20:33

I recently received my childs attendance sheet. 16 unauthorised absences.. i knew DS wouldn’t be skiving and I always contact school to reports sickness etc.. so I contacted them an they told me even though I’ve rang they still an go down as unauthorised shock so I left it for a few hour.. but then I was like nope, this isn’t right.. after doing some research into school policies and procedures it clearly stated I should of been informed about there intentions so then I could provide proof such as docs app etc. (They never did this) After revealing this to the attendance teacher she told me she would inform the principle and they would change them to authorised.. today I received an voicemail stating they will only change three back to authorised.. however I have proof of me contacting school on every occasion even call history of contacting the doctor and pcr test results.. I really have no idea why there being like this, the school isn’t the best an are seen as inadequate by ofsted an have been taken over by an academy.. I’m already concerned about teaching standards aswel!! Sorry it’s so long but what can I do about these unauthorised absences that are actually authorised. Thank you I’m advance x

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HotPenguin · 10/02/2022 10:54

Look up their complaints procedure and follow that.

Original poster
KLou30 · 10/02/2022 09:31

@Wolfiefan

They are allowed to. Not they must. What don’t you understand in that? Why not bother? Because you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. An email or letter would suffice. It’s not a big deal.
Yes meaning they’re have a right to ask me if there in doubt! and if I decline it will be unauthorised, for god sake here is my last post for you to prove there not allowed to unauthorise it.. cause I’m basically here just to make a point with you now by the looks of it Grin
Unauthorised absences.. please help
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Original poster
KLou30 · 10/02/2022 09:26

@Wolfiefan

I used to too seven. OP you still don’t understand the word can. Schools are under no obligation to authorise absence or to look at “proof” of reasons for absence. You may, of course, query their decision but it’s up to the school whether to authorise absence. Plus it isn’t a big deal TBH.
Can in this case.. means “they have the right to ask me or are able to ask me if there in doubt” which they clearly were! if it meant what your implying it would be worded completely different but anyway this just getting silly now, I’m in dispute with school not your opinion on what the policy says and doesn’t say.. thanks for you time on this post anyway
Unauthorised absences.. please help
OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 10/02/2022 09:24

They are allowed to.
Not they must.
What don’t you understand in that?
Why not bother? Because you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. An email or letter would suffice. It’s not a big deal.

Original poster
KLou30 · 10/02/2022 09:15

@seven201 May I ask why it’s not worth my time? Your opinion would be great actually working in secondary school. Thanks

OP posts:
KLou30 · 10/02/2022 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KLou30 · 10/02/2022 09:12

@Wolfiefan as I’ve said to you before the “can” in that policy means there allowed to request this from me, as it then states further down they’re advised to not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily but basically theyre allowed to ask me for medical proof if there in doubt! I don’t know why I’m repeating myself to you , His attendance teacher has already agreed with this and said this should have been followed and apologised so I don’t get your point?? My issue now is they know the situation is wrong but nothing is being done about it

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Wolfiefan · 10/02/2022 08:42

I used to too seven.
OP you still don’t understand the word can. Schools are under no obligation to authorise absence or to look at “proof” of reasons for absence. You may, of course, query their decision but it’s up to the school whether to authorise absence.
Plus it isn’t a big deal TBH.

seven201 · 10/02/2022 00:00

I think I'd just let it go. Not worth wasting your time on. I work in a secondary school.

ambushedbywine · 09/02/2022 23:49

@Wolfiefan

I’m aware it’s 8 days. And yes that’s a lot of absence.
It’s really not. That’s basically one episode of covid which most kids will have had, or 3/4 colds that had to have PCR tests.
Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 23:46

@wishing3

That does sound very off then OP. You could perhaps contact the chair of governors to express your concerns that procedures aren’t being followed correctly. I’d be miffed too.
Thanks for your reply, hopefully I can get this resolved tomorrow. If not I’ll try that. Thanks
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wishing3 · 09/02/2022 23:16

That does sound very off then OP. You could perhaps contact the chair of governors to express your concerns that procedures aren’t being followed correctly. I’d be miffed too.

Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:23

@Wolfiefan

Can. They may choose to do so. Not they should. Not they have to. If the school is that awful move your child. But I can guarantee you marching in tomorrow won’t get you what you want.
No if they are in doubt they can request proof, clearly they were in doubt so why didn’t they ask an mark unauthorised with out telling me there intentions? which may I add says they “ should” do!! What is your problem do you do this on everyone’s post Grin I’m all for an opinion but I’m providing fact an your arguing against them! Hmm and just to add Everyone in my area is trying to get ther child out of this school believe me I have tried an his not even been there 6 month!
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Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:18

No there isn’t but if he is off poorly again then there would be an attendance issue I’d assume, an I just think what! Are kids not allowed to be poorly unless it’s covid

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Wolfiefan · 09/02/2022 22:18

Can.
They may choose to do so. Not they should. Not they have to.
If the school is that awful move your child.
But I can guarantee you marching in tomorrow won’t get you what you want.

Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:17

@Mo1911

It honestly doesn't make any difference to anything so I wouldn't worry. My children had quite a few unauthorised absences due to extended family health problems and it made no difference to them in any way if they were recorded as authorised or unauthorised.
I do believe you are fined after 20 unauthorised however this isn’t my issue, it’s the principle of it all and them not giving me a valid reason as to why they’re still not taking them off when I have proof, It’s all very odd
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Mo1911 · 09/02/2022 22:14

@TheSmallAssassin

Am I missing something? Why does it matter how they've recorded them?
It doesn't matter unless there is a significant attendance/ truancy issue.
Mo1911 · 09/02/2022 22:13

It honestly doesn't make any difference to anything so I wouldn't worry. My children had quite a few unauthorised absences due to extended family health problems and it made no difference to them in any way if they were recorded as authorised or unauthorised.

Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:12

@NeedAHoliday2021

Dd had an emergency tooth extraction - issue of baby tooth still it place potentially damaging adult tooth was spotted at an after school appointment and dentist asked for her to go back next morning to have it removed. I called school and emailed her tutor. She was an hour and a half late into school. Attendance officer wanted my appointment card as proof - I didn’t have one. Dd offered to show her her gum as it was still bleeding Grin. Apparently that wasn’t necessary but next time we need a card. As a parent standing next to her I was confused what exactly they thought we’d got up to in the hour and a half they thought she’d skived. This was Year 7 so I didn’t quite know all the rules. A phone call is fine for a day’s sickness but an hour and a half at the dentist needs evidence. Schools are weird the things they focus on.
GrinAgreed, my son is year 7 I’m new to all this but this is the only school in my area with these problems, I’m not the only parent, it’s really bad but there just no room for him anywhere else, I’ve tried everyone is appealing to leave it’s horrendous.
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Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:10

@Wolfiefan

Don’t steam in tomorrow. Call or email and make an appointment with the appropriate person. Schools are busy with the business of teaching and learning and won’t be able to stop that to deal with something like this.
Not this school there not did I mention it’s inadequate, they never answer the phone either did I mention that ?
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Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 22:09

@Wolfiefan

Reread your previous post
And it quotes “If the authenticity of illness is in doubt, schools can request parents to provide medical evidence to support illness. Schools can record the absence as unauthorised if not satisfied of the authenticity of the illness but should advise parents of their intention. “ you re-read should advice, yes should!! They did not!! It also say “can” for the schools benefit when asking the parent, meaning the parent will need to provide when asked! Which I wasn’t
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Wolfiefan · 09/02/2022 22:05

Don’t steam in tomorrow. Call or email and make an appointment with the appropriate person. Schools are busy with the business of teaching and learning and won’t be able to stop that to deal with something like this.

Original poster
KLou30 · 09/02/2022 21:59

Well thank you all for your time anyway seems there a very split opinion on this, however I will be taking it further just not sure how as most replies state how school can do as they please basically.. Grin not in this case they can’t, all proof will be taken into school tomorrow morning, seems the only way I will resolve this.

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NeedAHoliday2021 · 09/02/2022 21:59

Dd had an emergency tooth extraction - issue of baby tooth still it place potentially damaging adult tooth was spotted at an after school appointment and dentist asked for her to go back next morning to have it removed. I called school and emailed her tutor. She was an hour and a half late into school. Attendance officer wanted my appointment card as proof - I didn’t have one. Dd offered to show her her gum as it was still bleeding Grin. Apparently that wasn’t necessary but next time we need a card. As a parent standing next to her I was confused what exactly they thought we’d got up to in the hour and a half they thought she’d skived. This was Year 7 so I didn’t quite know all the rules. A phone call is fine for a day’s sickness but an hour and a half at the dentist needs evidence. Schools are weird the things they focus on.

Wolfiefan · 09/02/2022 21:57

Schools CAN request.
Not they must.