AIBU? DS was ill and the school have marked it as an unauthorised holiday and are threatening to fine me!

[WeAreEternal]

A couple of weeks ago DS (7) had an upset stomach, he D&V over night and most of the next day.
First thing in the morning (a Thursday) I called the school and let them know he was ill.
He was feeling better by the evening but as he had D&V school policy is 24 hours off, so I kept him off Friday too.

I received a letter from to school yesterday saying that those days have been marked as an unauthoried holiday as "although we received a phone call from you stating that (DS) was ill, we are led to believe that DS was in fact on a holiday to XXXX on these two dates"

The letter goes on to say that if he was genuinely ill they expect me to provide evidence such as a doctors appointment card, a prescription, a medication receipt or something simmilar that can "verify my version of events".

I am a medical professional, I know when when my DS needs medication or to see a GP or when he just has a bit of a stomach bug and needs rest and fluids.
Who would take a child to the GP or buy medication for D&V anyway?

How on earth can I prove that DS was ill?
And why are they even querying this?
AIBU to think this is bloody ridiculous?

Anyone have any ideas?

Send it recorded delivery so they can't deny they received it.

This petition to reverse changes to term time family holiday rules is still running

I know this thread isn't about term time holidays, but it is linked to problems with the new Gove policy

The letter is fantastic, good luck with it OP. I am utterly shocked at the school's response. Not a professional way to behave at all. I would sent it recorded also as others have suggested. If they want to go down the 'proof' avenue then I think it is the best approach.

I would also be talking to my MP if this cannot be sorted but that would be a last resort of course. Hopefully it will never come to that.

Send it, sorry!

If I hadn't received a phone call from anyone in the SMT by the end of the day, I'd be taking it further to the Governors.

A promise to investigate and a definite call back / meeting is the least they can do.

Ok I have C&Ped youarewinning's fab letter, I have edited where appropriate with the relevant info (and made sure to change DS to his actual name, which I missed the first time)

Shall I definitely send it recorded? Does that make a difference?

Thanks again everyone for the great advice.

Could you hand deliver it and ask for a receipt?

I wonder if anyone in the school is on MN I always think that when I read such threads.

Yes, send recorded so you have proof of postage and you can request proof of receipt from the post office.
Well done! Look forward to hearing what they say to that, excellent composing by youarewinning

Interesting orlando. I saw a thread on here recently by one of the parents in my class. Not about me, I hasten to add! Am keeping schtum of course.

Recorded delivery or email and add a footnote to confirm they've received it. Recorded is probably best because they sound as if they might just be the type of school to deny receiving the email!

Is it wrong clam that I just checked your profile to see where you lived?! Although if your DS' current SENCo or teacher it would have been all about how amazing you are!

eternal Did you read the posters correction to my letter regards it being data protection act not freedom of information?

Can you just give the school a quick ring now and ask the receptionist for the correct spelling of her name and that of the person who is supposed to be ringing you back , just to put in the letter you are drafting to the chair of governers etc .

Not you, I promise!

That is a brilliant suggestion frumpet!

Yes, frumpet's suggestion just might prompt them into a speedier response!

Don't you just live the way evil minds work on MN

It sounds like they are deliberately avoiding you... I wonder why? Perhaps because they know they're in the wrong and don't want to face the wrath of a parent they've called a liar.

I LOVE frumpets suggestion. Could you be even more evil and say your from and are confirming who you need to send the letter to, on your clients instructions, re false accusations relating to absence You don't have to state who you are or who the client is!

skim read and don't have a primary-school aged child, but I certainly can be a bolshy mare about stupidity like this.

Letter excellent. CC it into the chair of the Board of Governors and the head of the LEA or whatever they are called. Make sure the school can see you have CC'd these people in.

As far as I'm concerned, once they failed to get back to you on Friday, I would be escalating it right now. This instant.

Send it recorded. State you want a response from the HT's office tomorrow by X time. If that call doesn't come, straight onto the governors or LEA.

Do not let it lie, do not allow them to fob you off.

Ooooh, I'm immensely angry on your behalf.

It's touched a nerve this thread, hasn't it!