Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

To be annoyed at attendance letters from school

111 replies

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:18

We have just received another letter from school about DS1 attendance.

The letter states that as his attendance has dropped since the last letter we need to make an appointment with the head teacher or be referred to the Education Welfare Service.

DS1 suffers from bouts of tonsillitis so does have a fair few absences we would also rather keep him home when he is poorly and try to make the best judgement call we can.

The last period they have judged him on was the 2 weeks before the school broke up for Christmas so even though he had 2 days off this has led to an 87% attendance rate.

We both feel that if other parents were more diligent about keeping their children at home when they were poorly our son would not catch as many bugs.

For background DS1 is in primary and is in the top few of the class across all subjects for attainment and effort. DD2 has had 1 day off sick since the start of the school year in September as she just does not catch as many bugs/suffer from tonsillitis like her brother.

It grates me the way that it seems that laws seem to be drawn up for the few percent of the population that do not parent effectively as opposed to the vast majority of parents who do.

I understand to a certain extent that this is a tick boxing exercise from the school but can they are fully aware of his health issues and that he works hard and is way above the national average for attainment.

Surely in a sane world some discretion should be used when sending out threatening letters and wasting everyone's time.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 09/01/2018 16:20

Just ignore the letter. But that is a low attendance though so School are right to flag it.

If he is having that many bouts have you spoken to the Gp about referral to ent?

Wolfiefan · 09/01/2018 16:21

They aren't threatening letters.
The schools are under massive pressure to improve attendance.
How exactly are they supposed to differentiate between tonsillitis and the child who had a bit of a cold? Doctor's note?

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:22

If we ignore the letter we will be referred to Educational Welfare Office.

87% refers to a two week period not the entire year.

We asked the GP about having his tonsils out but he does not meet the many requirements.

OP posts:

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:26

Wolfiefan

I guess the term "threatening letters" is debatable. The fact remains though that we have been given a short time frame to book an appointment or we will be referred to the Educational Welfare service which does not sound like a pleasant scenario.

I understand the school is under pressure which I think is the problem. It is all about statistics and not about the benefit of the individual child in question.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 09/01/2018 16:29

At what point should the school look to act though? 87% attendance is low so yes questions need asking to protect the education of the child.

I don’t believe it is wrong that schools monitor things tbh. Go to the meeting explain the situation, talk to your GP again because something needs to change for the child’s sake.

The “we would rather keep him home when poorly” may also suggest that sometimes he is kept home when really he could be in school? Sometimes it is hard to judge I know but some parents certainly keep children home on a whim.

HermionesRightHook · 09/01/2018 16:31

I would find that threatening! I think all you can do is meet with the head and reiterate why he's been off. If you can get them to do the appointment by phone or email even better. I'd also back all conversation up with an email record and take notes while you're in there, but I'm a bit paranoid like that.

grasspigeons · 09/01/2018 16:33

I don't get how they can produce an attendance letter on a 2 week period and not think its absurd to be honest. They could pick the 2 days you had off and say you had 0% attendance if they wanted

Do you have any evidence for his illness. I know you morally shouldn't have to produce this, but if you happen to have a prescription or an appointment card to copy you might be able just to send it to the head to avoid having a meeting. Or ask if you can have a telephone meeting?

arethereanyleftatall · 09/01/2018 16:34

Yabu.
No point getting in a twist about stuff like this.
You go in, you say 'he gets tonsillitis a lot'.
Then you go home.
Then you don't think about it again.

mustbemad17 · 09/01/2018 16:35

I had a massive flip out at this today. My DD is 5, chronic ear problems (awaiting ENT). Last night she had a rough night, didn't sleep until 6am so I let her sleep in this morning. She went into school an hour late, doped up on Calpol & I got a bloody lecture off the receptionist about unauthorised absences!!!

The bloody irony? By lunch time I got a call to collect DD because she was 'clearly struggling' & needed rest!!

Facelikeaslappedarse · 09/01/2018 16:36

Just go and see the head and explain about his recurring tonsillitis, and what the doctor says about it and ask if they would rather you sent them a sick child.

Facelikeaslappedarse · 09/01/2018 16:37

Chances are the head thinks it’s as ridiculous as you do but protocol for low attendance has to be followed

RavenWings · 09/01/2018 16:37

Doing attendance letters based on a two week period is a bit mental. But I agree with them being sent out to all in general. It's too much of a minefield if you start getting into sending them to some and not others, and having to potentially stand over that decision.

mustbemad17 · 09/01/2018 16:37

Tonsilitis is on the list of 'not a reason to be kept off school' here. Which is ridiculous because when it first kicks in it's horrendous!!

EllaHen · 09/01/2018 16:38

The school is following the attendance procedures set by the LA. They will be standard letters so that there is consistency across the authority.

The school won't be allowed to use discretion except in exceptional circumstances.

You are angry with the wrong people.

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:38

Thanks Hermionesrighthook/grasspigeons for the kind words and bothering to read the OP properly.

The letter actually had a handwritten PS scrawled on the bottom stating that this was just the attendance for the last two weeks of term actually come to think of it they broke up on Wedneday so he actually only had one absence over a period of 8 days which is why it is roughly 13% absence.

OP posts:

Facelikeaslappedarse · 09/01/2018 16:39

mustbemad17

That is mad

mustbemad17 · 09/01/2018 16:41

Isn't it! The list we got at the beginning of term caused a lot of problems!

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:42

I am not angry with the head I am annoyed by a system which seems to police the many for the benefit of a few irresponsible people.

I also think this sends the wrong message to parents about their own judgement and in addition may encourage parents to send in sick children which impacts the staff and other children's learning.

I am not particularly worried about the meeting in itself.

OP posts:

Figrollsnotfatrolls · 09/01/2018 16:43

Our secondary school has a 'look way from the teacher whilst they are telling you off and we suspend you for a day and a half policy' but send snotty letters for taking a week's holiday in term time. I accept holidays aren't a justification for missing school but who can honestly say they could take feeling like shit and not look away? Confirmed by another parent who heard the same from their ds after a suspension.

DuchessofLondon · 09/01/2018 16:43

YNBU but its just one of those things we've got to accept. Can you not arrange a meeting with the attendance officer to discuss the absences?

I think its hard to differentiate between a cold and worse. DD once had a stinking cold (shes in secondary school so they're even hotter on attendance). I deliberately didnt take her to the doctors thinking I was going to get fobbed off with the "just a virus" answer (which 9x out of 10 it usually is). How bad did I feel when we took her down a few days later and she got put on ABs for a bad chest infection!

If you show you will work with the school they will usually not get the EWO involved at all.

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:44

That sounds ridiculous mustbemad!

I do wonder sometimes whether some educational laws/directives would be different if the people voting on them did not mostly send their kids to private schools.

OP posts:

elliejjtiny · 09/01/2018 16:44

YANBU. My child had 88% attendance last term. He had a hospital admission, numerous appointments and d and v x2.

Oblomov18 · 09/01/2018 16:44

Equally pissed off. Had letter on last day before Christmas. Threatening £60 fine.

But going on line, to portal, 97% attendance. Has has 1 day off all autumn term, which takes his total for that one week to 80%.
Not very impressed.

He had one day off, yes 1 single day, in the WHOLE of his primary schooling, yes 7 years, so doesn't exactly have form for this.

Original poster

PumpkinPiloter · 09/01/2018 16:47

Wow Oblomov18 I think you win :)

OP posts:

ladystarkers · 09/01/2018 16:48

They do my head in... send them in and spread it round plus poor child isnt well enough to be in or keep them off and put up with this shit. Its all about targets.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5