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AIBU?

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Original poster

To encourage you to send letters like this to your schools?

718 replies

NameChange2271 · 22/09/2020 13:18

Name changed for this as apparently it’s an unpopular opinion; but I think it’s important to protect our children.

Please can I encourage you to send a letter like this into all your children’s schools.

Dear Headteacher

I am writing to inform you that (Child Name) is exempt from wearing a face covering of any kind, as per government legislation.

There are many exemptions from wearing a face mask, which incorporate hidden disabilities, including but not limited to:

(I) because of any physical or mental impairment or illness or disability (Section 6 of the equality act 2010)

(II) without severe distress

Section 6 of the equality act states that schools must not discriminate against a student because of their disability.

I am concerned that my child will be singled out for not wearing a mask and would like to remind you that this is also discriminatory.

(Childs Name) is under no obligation to provide proof of this exemption and is protected from doing so by the Data Protection Act 2018

I have also sent a copy of this letter to our solicitors.

Kind Regards
(Your Name)

OP posts:
inappropriateraspberry · 22/09/2020 16:16

If your son is struggling with it, then arrange a meeting or call with the head of year and discuss it. I'm sure that will get you much further than a silly letter with threats and nonsense.
Ask them if he can be exempt.

Littleposh · 22/09/2020 16:17

So you want everyone to stop their children from wearing masks, endangering themselves and others, just so yours doesn't feel left out?? Sorry but this is the most ridiculous mn post I think I've ever seen

notallcupsinthecupboard · 22/09/2020 16:18

I am really surprised to see this still being debated. We are in Germany in a part where mask wearing has been part of daily life since April. Kids wearing them in school corridors since they partially went back in June, and now that they are properly back also. It is so not an issue. The children just get on with it. It allows them to be back at school which they are really happy about. They understand that that is the way it is to keep the figures low and to keep schools open. We are currently expecting mask wearing (for kids, not teachers) to be compulsory also in the classroom. It is such a minor inconvenience that allows so many things to operate “normally” that I personally do not understand why you wouldn’t want that.

TillyFloss10 · 22/09/2020 16:19

There is no need for a letter. Yes he may get pestered for the first few days to show his exemption pass but now I know the small handful of children at our very large high school who are exempt by heart, most staff do.

ktp100 · 22/09/2020 16:19

FFS.

No.

ilovesooty · 22/09/2020 16:21

@Brighterthansunflowers

So he’s not exempt at all, he just doesn’t like it and “my mummy says I don’t have to wear it so there”

This level of sheer stupidity is the reason we’re having more restrictions and will end up with more deaths.

Wear a fucking mask unless you’re genuinely exempt. ”don’t like it” isn’t a reason to be exempt.

I suspect that's the case here. "Struggles" probably just means in this case "don't like it / can't make me".
TillyFloss10 · 22/09/2020 16:23

And you are right, schools cannot demand evidence but most parents will provide this willingly without being asked.
A phone call will do though to explain his exemption. A letter like that isn't needed

Yoffel · 22/09/2020 16:24

Why are you encouraging me to write this letter to my sons school when he does not have any exemption from wearing a mask and appears, like the vast majority, to be happy to do his civic duty, knowing that his mask does not protect him, but protects others?

What a strange request.

Original poster
NameChange2271 · 22/09/2020 16:24

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

OP posts:
Slightlybrwnbanana · 22/09/2020 16:24

People who take the rights of those who genuinely need them (exemptions, disabled parking spaces etc) should be ashamed of themselves as you make it harder for anyone who actually is entitled.
OP Facebook is that way >>>>> you'll find far more usforthem eejits to agree with you there.

Slightlybrwnbanana · 22/09/2020 16:26

Which protected characteristic prevents your dc from wearing the mask? As it is only discriminatory if it falls under one of these.

Pickagoddamnname · 22/09/2020 16:26

So because your son is exempt you think everyone should send the letters so your son feels better about not wearing one. Nah mate. I agree secondary pupils should be wearing them unless legitimately exempt.

ILikeTrains · 22/09/2020 16:26

Ooooh please show us what you'd write for a sick day or dentist appointment, do they include solicitors too?....Please say they do. I love parents like you, hilarious.

Imloosingmyshit · 22/09/2020 16:26

Why are you bothering? Really. Just why?

ilovesooty · 22/09/2020 16:28

[quote MissHoney85]@NameChange2271 So basically your son doesn't have a condition, he just (like most people) finds mask wearing inconvenient and uncomfortable. You resent the idea of being told what to do, so you're looking for loopholes designed to protect those with a genuine need. Who will now face doubt and suspicion because of people like you using those loopholes to prove a stupid point. Bravo.[/quote]
Well said.

inappropriateraspberry · 22/09/2020 16:29

@NameChange2271

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

Surely part of a school education is preparing them for adult life? If he can't cope with being asked a simple short question with an easy answer, he's not going to like the workplace where he will have to justify all sorts of decisions and choices. His mental health will not suffer, neither will the rest of the pupil's health, just because they have to wear a mask. What will suffer is their physical health, or that of a relative, when they contract the virus or pass it to someone else from not wearing a mask.
ZeroFuchsGiven · 22/09/2020 16:29

I am genuinely curious as to why you are actively raising your child to grow up to be an entitled dickhead? He doesn't like wearing a mask so you fabricate some bullshit to the school so he doesn't have to?

What if he didn't like wearing a seatbelt? Would You just pat him on the head and tell him he is 'exempt'?

ConcernedAboutWarrington · 22/09/2020 16:29

So your letter worked.

But next time a member of staff considers 'going out of their way' somehow for your child, they won't, because they wouldn't want to risk getting another letter like this if things didn't work out.

So your child may get a very perfunctory deal from school. And you would never know.

OP - its all about relationships and you've misjudged this.

Lockdownseperation · 22/09/2020 16:30

@NameChange2271

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

Alternatively you have had a sensible conversation with his head of year or a member of SLT and he would have also been given a pass. You used a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

Personally I would rather my child wore and mask as did other students as it meant they will less likely to have to isolate due to bubble closures.

SirGawain · 22/09/2020 16:30

@pigeonsfeather

I personally really dislike the references to ‘that parent’ on here. There is nothing wrong with being ‘that parent’ if you need to be.

However I do feel that that letter is far too much.

Quite true, nothing wrong with being “that parent” if you need to be, but In this case it’s just passive aggressive claptrap.
spanieleyes · 22/09/2020 16:30

And if you had sent in a " please excuse Fred from wearing a mask as he suffers from acute anxiety" message it would have had exactly the same effect but you wouldn't have looked like such a dickhead.

MarshaBradyo · 22/09/2020 16:30

I feel a bit sad that the school had to deal with this letter when you could have been so much more amiable and still got the same result.

Too much antagonism

Thisisnotnormal69 · 22/09/2020 16:32

God this is pathetic. Asking your son to show his pass if he doesn’t have a mask is not going to psychologically damage him forever Hmm

Cocomarine · 22/09/2020 16:32

@NameChange2271

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

And he wouldn’t have got given the pass if you’d written:

“Hello

is unable to wear a mask, could you please issue a pass?

Thanks for your help in turbulent times, stay safe!

OP”

You actually think it was your crappy attempt at legalese and the laughably obvious but still insulting faux solicitor threat that got him the pass?

Seriously? Hmm

Thisismytimetoshine · 22/09/2020 16:32

@NameChange2271

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

You are an absolute disgrace, op. They clearly gave your son a pass to avoid having to deal with any more of your arrant nonsense. Shame on you 🙄