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Original poster

Never getting school attendance above 80%

41 replies

thatTimeof · 10/11/2022 17:27

Literally don’t know what to do. We just can’t achieve the required attendance.

Ds is year 6 and it’s always in the 70s . Always has been since he started school. A combination of a long term chronic condition plus huge amounts of viruses etc and we just can’t get it better and I’m so worried about secondary school to the point I’m starting to think is home education something to consider for him .
School are understanding but there are big gaps in his learning obviously.
Tried all sorts of vitamins etc and he’s still unwell all the time . Blood tests all fine I think he’s just susceptible to everything!

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I just feel like I’m failing somehow as the target is in the 90s!!!

OP posts:
CoffeeHousePot · 10/11/2022 18:47

70% is very low. I am surprised your Hospital Team are ok with this. My child has a chronic illness and his attendance is something his Team ask us about.

I would want to look at rehab options before I went to homeschooling.

Have your hospital team got the ability to refer your son to a Children's Chronic Pain/Rehab Team? There are not many in the country, but they usually have a combination of OT, physio and psychology as well as paediatricians. They can work with you and your son to help manage fatigue better and look to improve attendance. They will also liaise with school to ensure adjustments are made to improve attendance.

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 18:48

Failing to hit 80% attendance equates to having a minimum of 1 day a week off, every week. Or more.

Can you imagine getting away with that in a full time job?

In the working world you'd have to go part time. That has negative consequences though. In the world of work it means less money. In the world if education a reduced timetable means less attainment. Are you ok with that?

scramblesontoast · 10/11/2022 18:49

Hi OP. I don't have any advice, just wanted to say that you're not alone. I'm nearly 30 now but I have EDS and finally received my diagnosis when I was in year 7 at school. My attendance at that time (and for the rest of my time at school to be honest) was around 70% and my Mum was getting all sorts of letters, calls and at one point, threats, from my school. I remember one time a few months before I got my diagnosis, my mum had written yet another reason why I wouldn't be able to take part in PE that day, and my PE teacher literally laughed it off and told me to "run along and get the balls out for the other kids who didn't have excuses". I really wish I was making this up. You sound like a fantastic Mum and I'm sorry that it's such a rubbish situation.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
scramblesontoast · 10/11/2022 18:50

**written yet another letter with the reason, that should say above. Pregnancy brain, sorry.

Original poster
thatTimeof · 10/11/2022 18:57

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 18:48

Failing to hit 80% attendance equates to having a minimum of 1 day a week off, every week. Or more.

Can you imagine getting away with that in a full time job?

In the working world you'd have to go part time. That has negative consequences though. In the world of work it means less money. In the world if education a reduced timetable means less attainment. Are you ok with that?

Yes i think I’ve already accepted that ds might achieve less academically than his peers who are well and that later on he may need to work part time. As long as he achieves to the best of his ability then that is what’s important as if I compare him to others without the challenges he has it’s unrealistic. So yes, I’m fine with it

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 10/11/2022 18:58

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 18:48

Failing to hit 80% attendance equates to having a minimum of 1 day a week off, every week. Or more.

Can you imagine getting away with that in a full time job?

In the working world you'd have to go part time. That has negative consequences though. In the world of work it means less money. In the world if education a reduced timetable means less attainment. Are you ok with that?

If he's too unwell to attend, what do you want him to do?

It's not about "being okay" with it, it's reality for lots of people.

IsItaCowIsItaPlane · 10/11/2022 19:02

My sons got 100% attendance but in other years he's had less. The school recently sent an email saying you should send them in ill!! They will decide if they need sending home, I think that ridiculous. But 70% attendance is terrible

Teadrinkingmumofone · 10/11/2022 19:04

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 18:48

Failing to hit 80% attendance equates to having a minimum of 1 day a week off, every week. Or more.

Can you imagine getting away with that in a full time job?

In the working world you'd have to go part time. That has negative consequences though. In the world of work it means less money. In the world if education a reduced timetable means less attainment. Are you ok with that?

What is the point to this comment? How is that supposed to help?

Untitledsquatboulder · 10/11/2022 19:11

What do you propose the OP do if she's not "OK" with it @Eupraxia ? Trade him in for a newer model?

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 20:13

A child has a right to 25h education a week. That's the child's personal right.

There are parents out there who don't view a child's right to full time education with the gravitas required and consider it an optional right they can choose to ignore.

There are also schools out there who don't give enough consideration to that child's rights. Because there are lots a school can do to make education accessible, rather than just accepting the child only 'deserves' part time.

Most local authorities have a Heath Related Education Team that can assist in accessing education alongside diagnosed long term illnesses.

LittleBearPad · 10/11/2022 20:17

Have you tried half days when he’s feeling unwell?

LittleBearPad · 10/11/2022 20:17

Obvs not too unwell!

Saturdaysunrise · 10/11/2022 20:20

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Saturdaysunrise · 10/11/2022 20:22

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honiedparsnip · 10/11/2022 20:24

Eupraxia · 10/11/2022 18:48

Failing to hit 80% attendance equates to having a minimum of 1 day a week off, every week. Or more.

Can you imagine getting away with that in a full time job?

In the working world you'd have to go part time. That has negative consequences though. In the world of work it means less money. In the world if education a reduced timetable means less attainment. Are you ok with that?

Or they might be allowed to wfh more as a reasonable adjustment. Schools don't let you

Runnerduck34 · 10/11/2022 20:28

Has he got any EHCP?
Might be worth investigating if not.
Definitely talk to any prospective schools sencos and get some support in place before he starts.
But if he's unwell it can't be helped so try not stress about attendance levels.
Perhaps school can send work home if appropriate or if hes ill for a longer period LA/ school should provide health needs tuition.

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