To not want to give a copy of a Private and Confidential letter

[maidofallworks]

Following on from the school absence thread and all the hoo har surrounding the new procedures AIBU?

My DD had a hospital appointment during school time (Specialist so couldn't be arranged at other time). I followed the school procedure for taking out of school and when I went to collect her I was asked by the office to provide a copy of the letter showing the appointment. The receptionist then took it away and photocopied it.

This letter from the NHS was marked private and confidential and showed the clinic and hospital I was taking her to as well as the time and date.

My gripe is the letter is P&C to me so not for anyone else to see and also it might have been for a sensitive issue.

Hmm...I dont think it is unreasonable for them to want a copy for their files to support the absence, however if needed, I would have blacked out the illness, and location,.if I felt they should in any way be kept private.

You could have blanked out all the details except the date and time and basic NHS info. Schools are judged by attendance data and it is one of the only areas which the LA and Ofsted can look at from afar. That is why they are so hot on it.

Schools deal with sensitive information about their children all the time, so unless you have some reason to think their data handling practices are weak then there is no issue. If your child needs occupational therapy etc as a result of this appt then they will deal with the school directly, anyway.

Hmmmm.......... I actually copy all letters with regards to DS hospital appointments and give the school a copy. So appointment letters and the letters regarding what was discussed and agreed/ suggested. IMO/E it helps get DS the support he needs. Not least as the latest one from Pead Cons suggests an Ed Pycsh referral which I've been badgering school to do for years.

Why don't you want school to know? They are in loco parentis of your child when they attend and so surely they need information that would help them support your DD?