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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not being unreasonable....yet!

21 replies

littleanne73 · 22/05/2012 02:43

Decided to post under this chat as I have the potential to be unreasonable..... or maybe not! My Daughter (14) suffered a fractured toe in 4 places last week at school. Her and another child lost were assembling a trampoline barefoot in PE and the supporting leg of the upright came down and hit her toe. She has been in immense pain, sat her GCSE module 2 Biology yesterday in pain which she is sure she failed. School have obviously been very quiet, we asked for the accident report which they sent which appears to be on an out of date form and was filled in by a member of the reception staff. They have supplied to us a excerpt from the 'pe guidelines book' which in their minds covers them against any error. The school have still to answer our initial concerns re her GCSEs and upcoming mocks, numerous points in an email raised last Wednesday have still to be answered. Any advice out there? How do we get the school to respond to us, we are shocked and amazed that they haven't responded properly. We want to ask for a meeting with the school to ask how they have ensured this won't happen again but as they have ignored us so far, it seems rather futile. The most help to us has been the Pastoral Co-ordinator who it seems is worth her weight in gold. Someone mentioned to me that you can apply for special consideration when getting a GCSE paper marked, but a quick wizz on the internet didn't help me, any advice?

OP posts:

Isityouorme · 22/05/2012 06:29

Could you speak to a school governor? The exam boards? Hope she gets better.

karatekimmi · 22/05/2012 06:46

There is normally an exams person within school and s/he will be the person to apply for extenuating (sp) circumstances. You might need a doctors note to support it or hospital forms.

Not sure who to speak to about the lack of common sense I. The pe department?

sunnydelight · 22/05/2012 06:47

Did she see a doctor? You can apply for special consideration if there is a medical reason why she may not have performed at her best but you will need medical evidence to back it up.

In terms of getting the school to answer your concerns, ramp up the pressure. DS1 was burnt while operating a BBQ at school and my first e-mail to the head got a very bland response. When I fired straight back asking for a copy of the Incident Report and a copy of the risk assessment done to cover the event and a copy of school procedure on students operating the BBQ - you get the picture - he realized I was not going away so I got a phone call. Make a pest of yourself, threaten legal action, make it clear you will not be fobbed off.

madmouse · 22/05/2012 06:48

I appreciate the pain of a broken toe, and yes the school has some answers to give. I'm not entirely sure about the need for special consideration in exams. It is only a toe and it should be manageable enough with painkillers to sit exams normally.

Jacksmania · 22/05/2012 06:50

Not necessarily madmouse. A broken toe is bloody agony.

madmouse · 22/05/2012 06:53

Erm I went skiing with one...

DollysDrawers · 22/05/2012 07:05

Good for you madmouse. OP agree with others that you can apply with special consideration, exams are stressful as it is without being in agony. It does sound like the school are hoping you will go quietly so I would keep looking for an appropriate response. When I broke my big toe I couldn't believe how painful it was and none of the painkillers I had made much difference, even Voltarol. Poor kid, I do feel for her.

3duracellbunnies · 22/05/2012 07:23

And even if you do find the appropriate level of pain relief it can affect your performance. I would definitely find out about extenuating circumstances form, the exam board will take it into account, especially if her results on this one are very different.

confusedpixie · 22/05/2012 07:38

I really feel for your daughter, I broke my toe just before exams and just sorting there in silence, with a toe in agony, was hell! I was on really strong painkillers as I'd just had an op on my leg too and whilst my leg was numb my your still hurt! You can get special considerations, the school should have told you this imo and helped you with it!

Re the school not responding, you'll have to found them I think, maker it known you are there, you won't be dubbed off and want answers and to see their paper work, as you have every right to do so! It seems as though they are making it as difficult as possible and I wonder why that is.

IDontDoIroning · 22/05/2012 07:52

2 issues
The accident how it happened - ie risk assessment supervision etc reporting and recording. School appears to have acted inappropriately and don't appear to be following procedures. Your dd has suffered a painful and totally avoidable accident - should she have been handling this equip at all? Were they supervised/ given instructions and did teacher ensure she was suitably dressed/ had suitable footwear . From the sound of it there could have been negligence in how it happened and how it was reported. They are certainly at risk of your dd making a personal injury claim, whether you would chose to do that is up to you but I think you need to make them aware of it.

My ds broke his leg playing sport. I wasn't happy and had a very frank discussion with deputy head. I was happy with the outcome. It was a genuine accident and school had followed procedures. In addition they bent over backwards to help him get around - he was allowed to use the teacher's lift , had help with his bags etc.
The second issue is the exam. I'm not so sure about this. I suspect they should be making some allowances for her in school. Eg getting about in school and possibly allowing her to raise her foot when sitting. If you are concerned at the effect of the pain and or painkillers on her performance in the exam I suspect you would need a doctors note registered with the exam board in advance of or as soon as possible after the exam. You could either ask school or contact exam board directly.

skybluepearl · 22/05/2012 08:03

Ring and speak to the head. If he/she isn't there, ask when she will be next available and go in

welliesandpyjamas · 22/05/2012 08:10

There are broken toes and there are broken toes. I broke a toe once and yes, it was horribly painful and swollen but I could take painkillers and get on with life feeling sorry for myself. DH recently broke his big toe, multiple fractures and dislocation, narrowly avoided surgery, and was told to take three months before returning to normal activities.

Sounds like your DD might have a worse broken toe than your average one. It would be worth getting a doctor's report from whoever saw her at A&E or at the Trauma Clinic she'll be going to for follow-up, and giving a copy to the school.

Tee2072 · 22/05/2012 08:12

What does that have to do with the OP's daughter, madmouse? For one thing, different people react to pain and pain killers differently. What may be mild pain for you could be agony for her.

Also, there's a big difference between willingly skiing and having to sit an exam while in pain. You were stupid able to make the decision on your own, she has no choice.

TheHouseOnTheCorner · 22/05/2012 08:18

I broke my toe during a ballet class and it was agony! I fully understand the pain....there must be variations with people...or maybe it is due to where you break it...your DDs was broken in FOUR places which to my mind is almost more like it was crushed....horrid....can't give advice but hope you get it sorted. Due consideration sounds fair or maybe a resit?

DeWe · 22/05/2012 10:08

You need a doctor's note, and it will be up to the exam board as to whether they think it's a reasonable consideration.

I had gladular fever over my finals (after chickenpox) and ended up with about 3 doctors notes.

Original poster

littleanne73 · 22/05/2012 13:04

Wow thanks for all this, currently on a quick break at work first chance I have had but some valuable advice here. Me and hubbie are currently going quietly mad! Will post more later, again thanks for your advice here.

OP posts:

Jacksmania · 22/05/2012 17:33

You went skiing with a broken toe madmouse?

Well done you.

But not everyone is that tough, and some broken toes hurt like buggery. I don't think it's possible to generalize.

Original poster

littleanne73 · 22/05/2012 23:06

I believe that her fracture is a bad one, one of the bones is split down the length. The foot is still black and green with bruising and there is a very dark bruise where the upright of the trampoline hit. The paracetamol didn't touch the pain, this was only provided by Codeine from out of hours docs. Good point to get report from Hospital. Think TheHouseOnTheCorner you are right it is effectively smashed.

Thankfully today is a little better :)

I think I am doing the typically british thing of trying not to make a fuss. We have had no comprehensive reply to our email from last Wednesday. We asked to be met on Monday when she went into school to sit her exam, she was only met by a member of staff who wouldn't be able to help. I believe that they are deliberately ignorning us, surely this goes again them?

Have been told to report to Local Authority and Ofsted. Where to turn next!

OP posts:

ImperialBlether · 22/05/2012 23:14

They should definitely have filled out an extenuating circumstances report before her exam. It should have been sent off with her exam paper.

Speak to the Exams Officer tomorrow and get that sorted immediately. The papers will be marked very soon.

Madmouse, you are a martyr and your situation was completely different.

OP, write a letter to the head teacher now to be given in tomorrow saying how horrified you are at the way this situation is being ignored. If they don't reply by the end of the day, phone the next day and ask for the contact details of the Chair of the Governors.

CharminglyOdd · 22/05/2012 23:32

As ImperialBlether says re: extenuating circs, it should have been applied for on the day by the Exams Officer. Are there any extra bits that would make her exams easier? When I broke my leg it was more comfortable when elevated - if your DD would cope better with her foot on a chair/being able to move briefly every half an hour to avoid cramp then I would also discuss this with the Exams Officer. I'm an invigilator and we often have one or two students who have last minute arrangements and get popped in a smaller room with everyone else who has permanent arrangements, where we can be more flexible and sensitive to their needs.

Original poster

littleanne73 · 22/05/2012 23:56

Thanks ImperialBlether, I wonder why the school didn't tell us this? Was only talking to a friend last night who asked why we didn't apply for it. I have fired an email off will follow up tomorrow with a call. CharminglyOdd we did take her in a colapsible stool and cushion but she said she couldn't get comfortable. She is supposed to sit her exams in a separate room anyway due to a visual disturbance (Irlens??) but she could not get to that room due to the crutches. That was another question we asked last Wednesday, still unanswered. Thankfully she has 3 more GCSE modules coming up the rest are mocks, hopefully she will be better by then.

OP posts:

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