School asking for evidence of dentist appointment

[AddingUp]

Hello there

I booked the dentist for the whole family. In order to minimise disruption, I booked it after school. However due to timings etc, my child needs to leave at 2.30 instead of the usual 3.15 finish.

Now, I called school to inform them. They asked for evidence of the appointment. I do have a reminder text from the dentist. However, I feel it's a bit of an invasion of our privacy. Surely, I don't have to provide actual evidence. Or am I wrong?

I wouldnt have an issue

I don't understand how showing the school a text is an invasion of privacy when you have already told them about the dentist appointment, it's not like they're asking for names or details of procedures?

Why wouldn't you? It's not difficult is it. Do it, and the world will carry on turning.

I dont see a problem myself.
You have told them where they are going already, so just something as evidence really wouldn't bother me.

Either show them the text or ask the receptionist after the appointment for an appointment card to hand in.

I wouldn't show them out of principle! It says that they don't believe you, and that they are in a position of authority to ask you to prove it.

Also, you haven't booked if after school, if you need to take them out of school to get there. That still counts!

Thank you. I just felt that it's a bit OTT and made to feel like a liar! I sent them a screenshot - all done.

Why on earth would it be a problem to show them evidence?

You've already told them that's where you're going and all showing the text is doing is confirming that.

It's an odd thing to get cross about.

It is OTT.

Government interference in family life is not acceptable. It is disgraceful that schools feel they have to collect proof in these instances. They are in fact not obliged to. So ignore.

Sometimes I’ve sent ‘evidence’. Mostly they (and me) just forget about it and stop asking.

How is showing proof of your child's dental appointment an invasion of your privacy? It was standard practice at the school I used to work in to request proof of all appointments that meant the child leaving school early. You'd be surprised how much school some children lost going to 'appointments' until proof was requested and then miraculously those 'appointments' disappeared. The school probably have no issue with children having to go to genuine appointments like yours occasionally if they can't be helped.

It's common for schools to want hospital appointment letters too so I don't think it's intrusive or weird.

I think it’s a standard policy at our school. I’ve never actually showed appointments but I’ve only had my kids out for hospital or the occasional drs for ongoing things school were aware off

When I was a TA in Reception, we had one child who was frequently picked up 10 minutes before the end of school for 'an appointment.' So just at the time when you need an extra adult to make sure everyone has got their book bag or find that missing lunchbox, I had to take her to the office to be picked up. (She couldn't go by herself for safeguarding reasons as it involved crossing the playground when the gates were already open.) It was inconvenient, but if she had to leave for an appointment, fair enough.

One afternoon I made conversation by asking the girl where she was going. "Oh, I'm just going home, Mum says it takes too long to wait for her turn to pick me up from the classroom at hometime."

I asked the office to get her to bring proof of an appointment in future, and I don't remember it happening again.

This girl's mum and people like her are the reason why schools ask for proof.

They need confirmation same as a work place, YABU, to many kids going off for personal reasons these days so just send a screen shot of the email or text confirming the appointment, they're not asking for personal details 🙄

I've never been asked for proof, perhaps because they know I'd not do it.
I have an issue with schools overstepping the mark when it comes to me parenting my dc's and deciding when they are fit for school, or when an appointment unavoidably interferes with school hours.

I have always been asked for a screen shot of the text or email. I have three children, now secondary and sixth form. They know I haven’t whipped them out for something unnecessary.
I don’t understand why it would be an issue.

Good for them! How are they not to know that you are not picking up early to go to the cinema/a party/shopping. You are doing it for a genuine reason and can show evidence - there are plenty of CF out there that I would take great pleasure out of catching out. 🤣🤣

That would give you great pleasure? 😬

I’ve only taken my DD out of school for one appointment and I did have to send a screenshot of the reminder text. It’s a bit weird, especially if it isn’t something you regularly do but I just sent it to make life easier.

Really ridiculous. Lot's of compliers on here for the sake of it.

The squirming and the ohh errr ummm I think I have lost the confirmation text? Yes it would hahahaha Nice try CF! Book your leisure activities out of school time next time.

OP of course has done nothing wrong - dentist is a good enough reason to need to leave early.

My dentist doesn’t give you any proof, you call up and book it, no texts or anything. I’d be saying no to the school anyway though, none of their business.

Wait till they ask you for evidence your child is sick. All my daughters absences are now unauthorised and I'm facing fines. Because I can't prove she had upset stomach. What did they want? Dr doesn't want to know. The whole thing is a joke.