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?

I think I'd phone the school first of all and try and clarify this on the phone. Is there a reason they might think he was on leave such as you had previously intended to take leave on this day but it had been refused? It's perfectly reasonable that you didn't go to the doctor's or buy any medication though under the circs. If they don't agree to change the register after the phone call then set all out in a detailed letter to the head until they change it.

You say you kept him off on Friday, op, even though the d & v was over.
You didn't by any chance go to Alton Towers or somewhere like that, where you coud have been seen by someone apparently on holiday?

That is ridiculous! The absence being on the Thursday and Friday is probably what is causing suspicion. Is there any way you can prove you weren't away? I would threaten them with the papers and going to your MP.

Why would anyone take a DC with D and V to the GP?

I'd only do that if it went on a long time past 48 hours.

Write a letter back to head and state he was sick you were in-accordance with the school regulations of taking extra time off to avoid passing it on. I'd also get offended that they are accusing me of lying but ask why they think this as well - has someone suggested this to them?

tell them to fuck off, and remind them you are a medical professional

honestly!!!! some bloody people

Why would anyone tell the school to fuck off, however unreasonable they might be? Not a helpful approach.

I have no idea why they would think we were on holiday, I have not requested that or any time near then off.

It the school policy it states, "children with D&V, upset stomach or sickness must stay off school for a full 48 hours with no symptoms to prevent the spread of illness to other children"

It says nothing about proof anywhere.

I would suggest to them that they read their school policy then, whichnyou adhered to.

The way I read this (based partly on thinking that most people posting about this scenario would be most outraged by, and focus their rant on, the fact the school are making a very specific and untrue allegation) is that op and family were on holiday on those sets and the school know perfectly well they were, either due to an unsuccessful absence request or kids talking, but op thinks the school should override the unauthorised absence with 'illness'.
Schools are very much aware of this trick and often there's nothing we can do to prevent t but if the school know you were on holiday then you'll just have to accept you got caught out. The fact d&v doesn't normally require dr visit is neither here not there...they're working on the belief you were on holiday.

Tell them you want written evidence from THEM of this so called holiday you booked?

You still haven't said you weren't on holiday!

Send SchmaltzingMatilda's reply. It's perfect.

I would be furious and demand evidence to substantiate their allegations.

We were not on holiday. DS was ill.

Quote their policy at them in a letter- including not requiring proof .

NHS advice

Don't return your child to their school or childcare facility until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Could also quote the NHS advice quote that and fact your DC didn't meet criteria for seeking GP advice.

I can only speculate either this is standard procedure at this school - which I can't see lasting long, or someone is shit stirring behind your back to the school.

Put it in writing and challenge them to prove what the suspect and insist in mean time they change their reclassification to unauthorized absence.

I was just thinking that kelihopter!

Tbh I would ignore it, let me take me to court. Utterly ridiculous.

Let them take me

Ah cross post, sorry.

...they're working on the belief you were on holiday.

Belief based on what though? You cannot just accuse people willy nilly, there has to be proof. I would ask for them to prove their allegations, tell them you will see them in court if necessary!

I would say that your son had D&V on Thurs so you followed school rules and kept him home on Friday too. Say you deny strongly that your son was on holiday that day. Add that their note suggests that they have some evidence to show you were on leave. Then demand to know what this evidence was so you can refute it in the strongest possible terms.