Why would school refuse a call and insist on a meeting

[Insistingonit]

My dd is in year 5. Attendance hasn’t been good due to frequent illness. Once she got to 90% the school insisted on a GP appt to verify Illness each time which we did. We already supply the appt letters for appts in school time.

She is now at 88% . We have continued to provide proof of illness. They are insisting on speaking to us we agreed and said we will arrange a phone or video call. They said it has to be in person. Why? We are happy to discuss but don’t see the difference?

They want to physically see you and your child in person
Assume It’s safeguarding protocol
does the school know all about her health issues - what has the GP said is causing such frequent absences

It's probably safeguarding. Just go and do your time, she does seem to be off a lot.

They see her in person she hasn’t been off in the last 2 weeks so she’s been seen daily ?

GP says it’s ‘normal’ levels of illness but did agree to refer for bloods as we asked. The other appointments we can’t have out of school hours as the clinics don’t run then.

she’s had tonsillitis a few times and been very unwell , sinus infection, ear infection, D and V 3 times since September as well. She had chickenpox in November . Every illness verified ( they even wanted verification for 2 of the d and v episodes ones she was sent home after vomiting)

But there’s no difference if we do a video call ? We are still engaging with them and meeting and communicating?

But her attendance is poor overall so it will be an in person meeting - it’s nothing to be fearful of but the school will have policies and procedures it must follow
she does sound like she picks a lot of stuff up - some kids can be super unlucky but you’re right to ask for further tests
ask school how they can support your DD in terms of caching up on the learning she’s missing

88% attendance is pretty poor and clearly whatever you have supplied so far isn’t satisfying their records or safeguarding protocol. Go in, have a meeting, take your evidence and do all you can to get her attendance back on track.

I really don’t see how a video or phone call is any different. It means we can not take
time off too and there’s surely no difference

It’s GP verification each time or clinic appointment letters? So it’s definitely enough proof

I think it’s important to point out that if she has had a particularly tricky winter, hopefully summer months will be kinder to her, which is often the case. A good chunk of time with little absence will pull this figure up. It’s early in the year, so this string of ill health is having a more significant impact on the percentage figure, if that makes sense.

I would work with the school and allow them to visit in person. a video call definitely isn’t the same.
They are only looking after your child’s best interests and will be safeguarding led.

I’m not sure if I was clear I’ve already submitted the evidence each time she’s been off

Why is it not the same ? We can see them they can see us and we can talk about the issues although what can I say as I’ve given proof ?

I agree but work with them. Don't waste your time fighting rules school won't bend.

It's safeguarding.

You can pick up on some body language (not all) from a video call but you can't tell if the person smells of body odour, alcohol or cannabis.

You can see their face and shoulders but can't tell much else about their body or how they're dressed. Do they have bruises elsewhere? sores? skin infections? are their clothes clean or appropriate for the season and environment?

Covid restrictions highlighted to many services how in-person contact was valuable or even essential.

What’s the problem with going to see them?

We have taken lots of time off work already due to appts and illness. So don’t want to take more a meeting online can be during a break. Also I’ve given proof and I don’t see the purpose of going in person ?

But we do drop off and pick up each day they can see us daily !

Go in, engage with the school and move on. If you refuse to go in this will raise flags and is likely to result in different agency involvement. Being defensive and shifty about going in will only make school think the worst I'm afraid.

Yes but what ever it takes to close the case. It is just a meeting.

We’ve submitted all evidence they requested and worked with them. We have to work and they should surely accept a video call - we are not refusing to engage or cooperate but I see no reason why an in person meeting is necessary there isn’t even much to say ? She’s been ill or had appointments- we have provided the proof as requested.

I worked with a private education welfare service that found that children of parents who attended in person improved thier attendance more than those who had phone calls. They also found making parents come in for meetings far more effective than the threat of fining them.

I think the theory was it was really awkward to take time off so parents had more incentive. Some parents in particular couldnt care less about paying a fine but find getting time off work really tough.

The caveat is i have no idea if thats the thinking behind your school. They might believe its more supportive and easier to discuss help.

The problem is government guidance is strict on attendance and the rules apply to everyone equally so bias doesnt creep in. Which means genuine illness gets caught up with other issues and they get put through the same measures. I hate it.

Right, the first thing you need to know before you do anything is that they cannot insist on a doctor’s confirmation of an illness… you have been rather lucky as most ICBs advise doctors to say no or charge for a letter.

Also, the school obviously do not understand statistics… you are halfway through the year, if your child is not sick moving forward then her attendance will rise to just under 95%.

You are perfectly at liberty to say no to this excessive overreach on their behalf, it is not necessary and I say this as a Chair of Governors’ with over 30 years of experience… during this conversation I would also ask for a copy of their attendance policy and their complaints policies. As long as you call when your child is sick, there is little more action that they can take. Yes, schools are under pressure to improve attendance but all OfSTED want to see is that they are doing their best to raise attendance and not to see how they can harry parents.

OP, you need to bend over backwards with the school. They are concerned about your child's wellbeing, which they should be. Stop being so confrontational and be grateful for their concern. She's missed a lot of school, so work with them to improve things and to help her catch up.

Thankyou I will do this

It isn’t safeguarding and they don’t care about the OP’s daughter, they care about their statistics and are arse-covering.

Telling parents to take a child with d and v to the doctor when the school itself sent the child home ill is just wasting everyone’s time, as well as spreading viruses.