DD14 had 5 days off school as she had an awful sickness and stomach bug. She was barely away from the loo during those 5 days. Her school does not allow students to use the toilets unless they have a doctor confirmed medical issue so she would have had an accident. (Another issue entirely as she gets regular urine infections from holding it in until she’s home).
I received an email from school stating her attendance is appalling from the 5 days off. They claimed they came to my house to check DD was actually unwell but no one was home (a lie as I work from home, sitting at the main window and also have 2 ring doorbells). They want me to come into school for a meeting to discuss how I can prevent any further time off school. I’ve also received a council letter telling me if she has anymore time off school they will fine me and take me to court. For 5 days.
Im shocked and disgusted that 5 days of being genuinely unwell has caused such an uproar. I know for a fact many of her friends have had much more time off school and they haven’t received the same emails or letter. (I know their parents so this is confirmed).
It feels like they have decided to pick on DD specifically. No one can plan to be unwell, no one wants to be unwell and if she is unwell again in the future and needs time off school it would make me a neglectful cruel parent to send her in.
Today she woke up complaining of a sore throat, not to get a day off school but to ask me to get her some lozenges. She was quiet at school as it hurt to speak and her form tutor told her ‘oh well, you’re not allowed any more time off so suck it up’.
I don’t know how to react to this, I’m angry and I’m also confused why DD is seeming to take the weight of school statistics on her shoulders. She told me at lunch 4 of her teachers were sat in the canteen and were watching her while talking which made her uncomfortable.
There is no cause for concern with DD, she’s a good student and she’s doing great academically. It’s made me want to remove her from the school although I know this is drastic and not good for her upcoming GCSEs.
Can anyone who works in this sector shed light on why the school are overreacting? Is there anything I should do/say? Tia