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Original poster

Worried about DS school attendance-will anything happen?

13 replies

Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:12

He's 13, in year 8. Always had good attendance but he's caught every bug going since September. He's down to 87% attendance and has woken up with a barking cough and a sore throat, he feels rotten. I obviously can't send him in like that. At what stage does the local authority get involved?

His other absence was a d&v bug which lasted nearly 2 weeks (I can't remember what the bacteria was called but it was confirmed by the path lab as it was going on so long).

OP posts:
abblie · 15/12/2022 06:16

I think as long as he is up to date on his work and still achieving attendance shouldn't be a problem hope he gets better soon

christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:19

You'll probably get a letter from the school to inform you that his attendance has fallen below the required level. You may also be required to provide proof of illness each time he is off due to illness in future. This would mean you getting an appointment with a gp each time he is absent and getting them to confirm his attendance at the surgery and, if possible, confirming a diagnosis. Some schools will accept a copy of a prescription or medicine, in the event you had taken him to a pharmacy for advice.

user1471530109 · 15/12/2022 06:20

Sorry OP, but 87% isn't good! It does sound like it was the d&v bug.

Only you know how ill he is this morning. But normally, I'd be sending in with a cough and a sore throat (after swabbing for covid if it's doing the rounds-it is here). But it is difficult to say without seeing him!

What was his attendance last year? If it was in the high 90s, I wouldn't be too concerned as it's clearly a run of bad luck.

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Violashift · 15/12/2022 06:21

My dd has low attendance due to mental health issues and Cahms appointments.
They asked how they could help but nothing else happened.

christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:21

Presumably, the d and v bug, confirmed by tests, you have written confirmation of that episode of illness? As long as that has been sent into school, you should be fine. Obviously his attendance will still be low, but you will have medical proof for it.
People get upset when the letters are sent out but schools have attendance targets and have to 'remind' parents when their child's attendance drops below this, regardless of the reason. As long as you know the absences can't be avoided and you have the required evidence, you have nothing to worry about

Brandymakesmerandy · 15/12/2022 06:23

A letter from school then called into school for a meeting with threats of the welfare officer.
Hardly a threat really because if you have a sick child there's not alot you or anyone can do to change that 🤷‍♀️.

Original poster
Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:23

christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:19

You'll probably get a letter from the school to inform you that his attendance has fallen below the required level. You may also be required to provide proof of illness each time he is off due to illness in future. This would mean you getting an appointment with a gp each time he is absent and getting them to confirm his attendance at the surgery and, if possible, confirming a diagnosis. Some schools will accept a copy of a prescription or medicine, in the event you had taken him to a pharmacy for advice.

I dont know what his previous years attendance was exactly but ive never been concerned about it.

Wow, chance would be a fine thing!

OP posts:
Original poster
Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:24

christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:21

Presumably, the d and v bug, confirmed by tests, you have written confirmation of that episode of illness? As long as that has been sent into school, you should be fine. Obviously his attendance will still be low, but you will have medical proof for it.
People get upset when the letters are sent out but schools have attendance targets and have to 'remind' parents when their child's attendance drops below this, regardless of the reason. As long as you know the absences can't be avoided and you have the required evidence, you have nothing to worry about

I could get written confirmation yes.

OP posts:
christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:29

Yes, a gp appointment for a a normal 24 hour sickness bug for a child isn't something you'd normally do, and you'd be unlikely to get an appointment for it to be honest. It's just something that schools ask for, knowing that it's basically impossible for parents to action most of the time. But if ofsted come calling, the school can then say, these are the procedures in place to try and deal with persistant absence

Original poster
Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:33

christmasbaublesandtinseltits · 15/12/2022 06:29

Yes, a gp appointment for a a normal 24 hour sickness bug for a child isn't something you'd normally do, and you'd be unlikely to get an appointment for it to be honest. It's just something that schools ask for, knowing that it's basically impossible for parents to action most of the time. But if ofsted come calling, the school can then say, these are the procedures in place to try and deal with persistant absence

I see, thanks for the info.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:35

Thanks for all the replies.

We know what to expect now. DS is very consciousness. He was desperate to go back to school when he had the sickness bug but he was under doctors orders to stay off until the diarrhea had stopped which took nearly 2 weeks. He was genuinely very poorly, lost a lot of weight.

OP posts:
MamaFirst · 15/12/2022 06:38

Nothing will happen. Schools send out these letters hoping to put the fear of God into those who are just taking the piss a little bit, staying off with a minor sniffle etc or too tired to get out of bed etc. Especially given you have seen a doctor and have proof, there's nothing they can do.

Original poster
Dorsetdingle77 · 15/12/2022 06:39

MamaFirst · 15/12/2022 06:38

Nothing will happen. Schools send out these letters hoping to put the fear of God into those who are just taking the piss a little bit, staying off with a minor sniffle etc or too tired to get out of bed etc. Especially given you have seen a doctor and have proof, there's nothing they can do.

Thankyou.

OP posts:
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