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Original poster

School keep calling positive lactrol flow /detention

55 replies

Generalpost · 16/09/2021 18:47

Dd had a positive lactrol flow test and has been ill. The school told me I have to get her a proper covid test. I had to do the postage one. So it's taken a little longer.

The school is ringing me everyday to ask why dd is not in and telling me I should call before 8am but this is a very busy time for me and I have alot going in at that time. I also emailed the attendance to say that dd had a positive lactrol flow test we are waiting on the covid test and it's unlikely dd will be in for the rest of the week. I was asked to send in a picture of the lactrol flow test. Which I did but they still keep calling me.

I also got a message saying dd has dention for not doing maths home work. 1) she's not in school. 2) she's not been well .

OP posts:
Gazelda · 16/09/2021 18:53

I presume this is secondary school?

When did her symptoms start? When did you post off the PCR?

Have you told school in writing that she's ill, or just that she's tested positive?

I'd email her maths teacher separately about the homework/detention. It sounds like a misunderstanding.

Aspiringmatriarch · 16/09/2021 18:56

How strange! I agree it sounds like a misunderstanding with the homework but I'm surprised they're being so pushy. If she was off with another illness they wouldn't demand proof would they?

satci · 16/09/2021 18:57

What is this test? I've never heard of it. Could you get a gps letter if it is something serious? I would ring the head of year and explain the above. I hope the tests aren't for anything too serious!

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General education
Lennybenny · 16/09/2021 19:02

@satci

What is this test? I've never heard of it. Could you get a gps letter if it is something serious? I would ring the head of year and explain the above. I hope the tests aren't for anything too serious!
Lateral Flow test is the at home saliva test for Covid. A PCR test is the one done by the NHS/PHE to confirm its actually Covid.
dementedpixie · 16/09/2021 19:05

School are out of order
If your child is ill with a positive lateral flow test then of course they wont be doing the homework.
The PCR test will likely be positive too. Hooe she recovers quickly

Tell the school to piss off and that she won't be attending any detentions

Howshouldibehave · 16/09/2021 19:06

I presume lactrol flow test is a spelling error and the OP means lateral flow.

I would answer the phone when they ring, say she isn’t well, you’re waiting for PCR results and ask that they remove the detention for missed homework because she is ill.

dementedpixie · 16/09/2021 19:06

@satci

What is this test? I've never heard of it. Could you get a gps letter if it is something serious? I would ring the head of year and explain the above. I hope the tests aren't for anything too serious!
I'm sure you could have worked out it was a Lateral Flow test!
SalmonLeaps · 16/09/2021 19:07

It does sound like a miscommunication with the maths teacher.

What is the policy for Covid related absence at the school?

The person manning the ‘ attendance’ email inbox you have contacted has possibly not passed information on, hence someone else calling you to ask about why your daughter is not in.

Making a quick call before 8am only takes a couple of seconds. As awkward as it may be, unless parents are driving and literally can’t use their phone, it doesn’t sound unreasonable.

To have to make a call every day because of covid related absence does sound a bit OTT.

dementedpixie · 16/09/2021 19:08

One call at the start should be enough for the school. There's no need to call in every day

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 16/09/2021 19:13

The email re: homework was probably automated so I wouldn't worry too much. A quick email to the maths teacher letting them know she's absent as she's ill will sort it and that youll get her to catch up when she is better

If you ring before 8am can you leave a voice mail? If so just set your alarm a few minutes before you have to get up to give you time to quickly ring and leave a message.

At our school, absences have to be communicated daily unless the child has a set return day ie had an operation will return in 6 weeks on 29th Feb 2021. You can't do that as you don't know how soon you'll get the test or how quickly it'll be back so they probably need to do it daily.

PenguinLove1 · 16/09/2021 19:14

Has her attendance been poor in the last year, or has she had to test/isolate often?
As it sounds like they dont believe you/ her to me!

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 16/09/2021 19:14

Phone and speak to the head. Ask if he/she had heard of covid. Then take it from there. Speak slowly and clearly. Ask if they have a crayon to write down any questions.

Seriously, these are professional adults. The mind boggles…

mrsm43s · 16/09/2021 19:16

Is it really a big deal to call in daily and keep the school updated?

Your PCR test should have been returned within 24 hours, so surely you'd need to call Day 1 to say +ve LF, Day to to confirm PCR appt or PCR result (if you managed to get booked in for Day1) and on Day 3 to update the school with the results of PCR if taken on Day2.

Re homework, my children's school expects children to keep up with school work and homework while in isolation. They have to check in with teachers to find what work needs to be done if the class hasn't been streamed on teams or work uploaded via the remote learning system.

Obviously if your child is actually sick (as opposed to isolating), then they don't need to do the work, but the school would know that as you'd be calling in daily to report your child's sickness, surely!

AFuturisticalSound · 16/09/2021 19:18

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

Phone and speak to the head. Ask if he/she had heard of covid. Then take it from there. Speak slowly and clearly. Ask if they have a crayon to write down any questions.

Seriously, these are professional adults. The mind boggles…

Don't do that unless you want the whole school to think you're age 12. No actual adult would do that would they?

There are always cock ups with systems and it's frustrating but surely you're able to engage in a normal conversation/email to get a resolution

Peanutsandchilli · 16/09/2021 19:19

It's standard practise at our high school to have to email or call in everyday that your child is unwell. They need to keep their records up to date and you're unable to specify a return date, so they can't mark her as being away for a set period. They won't be checking what you wrote on your last email or the last message you left on their answerphone, so it seems sensible to update them everyday.

canigooutyet · 16/09/2021 19:21

The missed homework texts are usually automatic. The system sees someone didn't hand in homework so sends the text out. We used to get them and I asked the school. First day back I would let child know there was no detention for missed homework and if any problems for the school to contact me directly.

Before I started dealing directly with attendance, I would call anytime after 6am and just left a quick message on the answer machine.

Occasionally I get a call from the school office I just let them know I'm dealing directly with head of attendance.

Ilovetoddlerssaidnooneever · 16/09/2021 19:27

Teacher here. There is a legal requirement for schools to set work for pupils who are absent for COVID-related reasons. I checked today, and there is indeed also a legal requirement that schools ensure this work is being completed. Bonkers, I agree. However, them's the rules and not everyone with a positive test is ill. Just wanted to balance some of the slightly hysterical responses above...

Original poster
Generalpost · 16/09/2021 19:30

The phoning everyday is difficult because I have a child with special needs and mornings are a madness. Also I sent them a picture of the lateral flow test. To me that should be good enough.

Her attendance is fine . We'll she's only just started year 7. But primary was fine as well.

I had to do the postal test. I did not get that till Wednesday after 5pm so the test had to be done and posted today.

OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 16/09/2021 19:31

@mrsm43s

Is it really a big deal to call in daily and keep the school updated?

Your PCR test should have been returned within 24 hours, so surely you'd need to call Day 1 to say +ve LF, Day to to confirm PCR appt or PCR result (if you managed to get booked in for Day1) and on Day 3 to update the school with the results of PCR if taken on Day2.

Re homework, my children's school expects children to keep up with school work and homework while in isolation. They have to check in with teachers to find what work needs to be done if the class hasn't been streamed on teams or work uploaded via the remote learning system.

Obviously if your child is actually sick (as opposed to isolating), then they don't need to do the work, but the school would know that as you'd be calling in daily to report your child's sickness, surely!

Bit harsh.

Plenty of parents are driving to a job at that hour of the morning and cannot contact school. If you could just ring and get the message machine it would be easier but it often asks for press 1 press 2 press 2003! Which you can't do whilst driving if on Bluetooth.

Plus she's rung and said she has positive LFT and will let them know when she has results of pcr.

The school know she has to isolate until results come in. It's not rocket science. You shouldn't need to repeat yourself daily to a supposed bunch of educated professionals.

Plus she's off sick so they shouldn't be issuing detentions without knowing. The class teacher could have checked.

Original poster
Generalpost · 16/09/2021 19:32

@Ilovetoddlerssaidnooneever

Teacher here. There is a legal requirement for schools to set work for pupils who are absent for COVID-related reasons. I checked today, and there is indeed also a legal requirement that schools ensure this work is being completed. Bonkers, I agree. However, them's the rules and not everyone with a positive test is ill. Just wanted to balance some of the slightly hysterical responses above...
Ah yes I agree with that. But if the child is actually ill then no.
OP posts:
lannistunut · 16/09/2021 19:33

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

Phone and speak to the head. Ask if he/she had heard of covid. Then take it from there. Speak slowly and clearly. Ask if they have a crayon to write down any questions.

Seriously, these are professional adults. The mind boggles…

Grin
Tickledtrout · 16/09/2021 19:34

@Ilovetoddlerssaidnooneever

Teacher here. There is a legal requirement for schools to set work for pupils who are absent for COVID-related reasons. I checked today, and there is indeed also a legal requirement that schools ensure this work is being completed. Bonkers, I agree. However, them's the rules and not everyone with a positive test is ill. Just wanted to balance some of the slightly hysterical responses above...
Really? My y11 has been told not to expect work when they're off ( yes,when not if ) because teachers are in class and don't have time now they're teaching "as normal". She was at home yesterday and today awaiting a PCR at school's request - negative as was lft- but she has a cold. No classwork set. I'll follow it up, thank you
satci · 16/09/2021 19:39

@Lennybenny thanks! Not once does she mention lateral flow or PCR

PenguinLove1 · 16/09/2021 19:39

If she is waiting on a pcr test then the whole household should be isolating so cant be driving etc at that time.

I appreciate you may be busy but it literally takes 2 mins to call in,

Its mayhem in schools just now and they are now extra busy chasing you when you haven't called in.

My son actually has covid and after the first 48 hours has been actually fine and is doing his homework each day- I appreciate the teachers trying to stop him from falling behind so unless she is in bed all day everyday doing her maths is a good idea

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/09/2021 19:42

If a parent can find the means with which to start a thread on Mumsnet, the chances are that they have the means by which to send an email each day confirming absence. Especially if they've had the means by which to send a photograph of a positive lateral flow test.

The reason why we don't get away with 'Oh, they'll ill' and not saying anything more until they turn up at school with a scribbled note like used to happen in the 70s and 80s is that this was found to obscure abuse, abductions, not feeling like getting up, addictions and all manner of safeguarding issues - plus it was worked out after some very unpleasant cases that had it been noticed and acted upon earlier that somebody was absent, the mother and child or the child who left for school as normal could have been found before they died.

It's part of safeguarding for very good reasons.