What happens when attendance drops too low?

[User474738473747322]

In secondary school? I have a child in year 8 who also has additional needs with an EHC plan, if that’s relevant.

the schools most recent ofsted wasn’t great and they are super strict on getting attendance up and basically want sick kids in.

so far this year he was sent home one day as the school couldn’t meet his needs one day and they registered it as ‘illness’. He was very anxious and went into complete emotional shut down so they sent him home, fair enough.

he had 3 days off for a heavy cold - he suffers badly from colds

he had another day off for an appointment

he’s now off again after catching the nasty illness me and dd had in half term and been on antibiotics.

Next week he has 2 appointments. I’ll try and get him to school for a bit on these days but they are in the middle of the day and an hour away so not ideal. Appointments are not easily changed to a non school time.

so his attendance is sitting at 84 percent and will get lower!

it’s never got too low before. I’ve got so much stress in my life. I don’t know education welfare officers on my back

I want my kids in school. They go to school as much as possible but sometimes life happens.

the school aren’t happy he’s off again but he spent all day in bed yesterday and hasn’t eaten in 2 days 🫣

I think they can refer to an outside agency who deal with it. It doesn’t go straight to a fine so try not to worry about that. If you’re not happy with the school then maybe you could consider moving him? I think they have to give priority to children with EHCPs.

Thank you, I do try my best and he’s in school but unfortunately he is prone to illnesses and has a few appointments this year he wouldn’t have had in previous years. I maintain good contact with the school etc.

I am trying to get him moved but it’s finding the right setting. Ideally a SEN school would be the right option but places are limited and he copes within reason at school it’ll be a fight 🫣

Just a thought - vitamin D deficiency can show up as regularly getting ill.

I think your biggest problem is you don’t know what’s going on with your child, your second issue is getting the school off your back.

Is there anyone he talks to? The anxiety and not eating are obviously worrying you.

Thank you, he’s unfortunately prone to chest infections and we’ve just been to the doctors and he has a chest infection and had antibiotics with a temp of 38.8 🫣 in the summer generally his attendance goes up but then this time of year it drops, not ideal.

there is major issues going on with the school and we had a lot of school refusal last year which made his attendance drop after Christmas. However, he’s been happier going lately!