School absence due to grandparent with terminal cancer diagnosis

[NotAnotherNightIn]

Posting for traffic...
My DM has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer, 'month to month' time frame.
I live over 500miles from my mum, I have a child in full time education, obviously want to take my child to see my mum very soon, before worst comes to worst.
Had a very fleeting word with Secretary and was told it was at discretion of headteacher (I'm fine with that) but I was told by a friend I'll need to provide evidence, although for my situation she didn't know what sort of evidence I'd require.
So that's basically my question, what evidence do I need to provide for a grandparent with terminal cancer? And what are ppls experiences with their schools on a similar issue?

You've got enough to be worried and upset about right now.
Until the school get in touch directly with you then try not to give it a second thought, even if they do get in touch about it it's nothing to get stressed about you're not doing anything wrong.

I'm sure as soon as they hear the reason for your daughters absence that will be the end of it anyway, if not tell them in the politest way to fuck off.

My secondary school will only ask for evidence of the attendance was low (sub 95%). And they send a letter notifying parents that evidence will be required for future absences due to the low attendance.

I'm so sorry. We lost FIL last year. He had been ill for a very long time and it wouldn't have been appropriate for the kids to visit when he went to hospital for the last time. DH flew over in a huge rush.
I agree with PP. you don't know how often it for how long you are going to want/need to go back.
I very much hope school wouldn't ask for proof. I hope they will be sympathetic but they will try and encourage good attendance. Hoping they wouldn't fine either.

My DDs school refused her time off for my SILs funeral - her actual Aunties funeral. I was dumbfounded.

I’m sorry for your DMs diagnosis OP.

My dc didn't miss a day of school until their GP's funeral but then again they last saw their GP 4 or 5 months before he died and we didn't live so far away.

If you live 500 miles away, what are you planning to do? Go there for a long weekend/4 days with the children? And later on do you have a partner at home who can hold the fort while you spend time with your DM or are you a lone parent?

So sorry that you are in this situation op .