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?

Actually, I just read the thread more closely and realised that Peekingduck has already said everything I said, only better and at much greater length.

I thought the LEA might still be operating in some regions, but I will take Peekingduck at her word when she says that they aren't playing that role any more. Certainly I recently sat on a governors' panel to hear a parent's complaint, and everything unfolded as Peeking describes. Governors who sit on the panel are meant to have as little prior knowledge of the case as possible, so that they can judge impartially. And the next step after our panel was said to be the DfE/Secretary of State.

Peeking, you're so well-informed, I'm going to guess that you work either for governor services or for Ofsted.

No update to this thread? I was very intrigued as have had something similar.

Could anyone clarify - many of the comments seem to indicate that the OP was threatened with a fine. But I missed that bit - is that the case?

I can't believe (although of course I do OP!) that this has been strung out for so long! Surely if they're going to accuse someone of something that is punished with a fine the grounds for the accusation need to be established as soon as possible. The longer it is left the (potentially) less able the OP is to 'prove' she wasn't on holiday. Memories fade so dealing with this more quickly than it has been dealt with is surely important to ensure the process is fair on the OP? I think the school have acted appallingly. The only thing I can think of that would lead to their behaviour is that someone whose opinion they really trust has shopped you. So they believe they are on solid ground and don't need to investigate because they 'know' they'll be proved right. Which is obviously unfair on the OP as it's harder for her to defend herself against malicious accusations which this may turn out to be. Or even a simple misunderstanding but one which ultimately needs sorting or she'll have a fine on her hands and a ruined reputation as trustworthy. Good luck OP. Do let us know how you get on.

Yeah, true! I not only missed that, I missed quite a lot of the more recent posts. My settings got changed and I didn't realise I was on pages rather than the whole thread, continuous. At least I've learnt that now.

all our settings got changed

wishing you luck OP. Hope you got an official complaints procedure

I hope if they do end up trying to fine you that you refuse to pay and go to court to defend the non-payment

The power of MN will set up a fund to help you!

Morning Eternal!

Any news?

I was wondering too. I really hope that this is being taken seriously by the school and govs. I am outraged on your behalf.

Please let us know if you've had a response Eternal, we're due back at school tomorrow and I would hope you've had this resolved by now.

Good luck!

Sorry I don't have an update, I've not heard anything, and I don't really expect to now.

Op shocked they would just ignore it tbh

OP you should not let them get away with just ignoring it. Are you really content to be accused of being a liar? Hopefully you will at least contest it if they go to the next stave of fining you?

Has anything happened with this? Has the school corrected the register to show he was ill?

Have you had any written response from the member of staff who is in charge of absences yet? Or is it only the governing body who have replied?

What with having to prove your child is ill and the lunch box police I am so glad my DC are now grown up. My blood pressure would have been through the roof dealing with this sort of nonsense.

It would be a USP for a private school- send what you like for your child's lunch and we promise not to accuse you of lying if your child is off sick.

Hmm, tell them via a letter or the secretary that you think it would fit in perfectly on the first page of the local paper. Twats.

Er, Op last posted on 7th January. Not a lot of point telling her what she should and shouldn't be doing when the whole thing may be done and dusted by now.