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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:
wedidntstartthefires · 22/09/2020 19:58

@Twickerhun

It would entertain Your solicitor so do feel free to send it to them, i am sure they would love to bill you £20 for the chance to read this and laugh
£20 Grin more like £200
ralphi · 22/09/2020 20:01

Why did you send it to your solicitors? What criminal or civil action are you planning? What case do you think you have? Or was that just a particularly pointless threat?

DianaT1969 · 22/09/2020 20:03

I love cracking walnuts with sledgehammers too OP! The only thing I'd add to that letter is that I've copied in my MP too and that I demand a response by return.
You could also have added environmental concerns and if you get a candid shot of the head teacher in Sainsbury's without his/her mask, you'll have them banged to rights!
Get that letter out on Facebook now.

FakeCutlassesAreAGatewayWeapon · 22/09/2020 20:03

In my experience those who make a fuss about it being discriminatory to ask for proof are often those who simply don't want to comply. Most of us with Autism etc are so used to being asked to explain ourselves we don't even bat an eyelid.

Adults who struggle due to DV, flashbacks etc I understand not wanting to disclose but the vast majority of issues a child may have to make them exempt a school would usually be aware of due to SS or counselling intervention (trauma), SENCO involvement day to day (SEN) or medical details given for trips, keeping meds in school etc (asthma etc)

You are doing a disservice to all of us when you try to invoke disability rights because you don't want to comply with rules made for your safety and the safety of your kids.

Also the pass system is by far the most sensible and most schools use it for all sorts of things. My autistic child has a hall pass so she can move to her next lesson before the crush. She simply holds it when in a situation she may need it and shows it to anyone who she sees.

If anyone sends a letter like this I expect they'll have far bigger issues than their kid kicking up a fuss about masks wearing. Teachers won't take kindly to stupid threats like this.

Parker231 · 22/09/2020 20:06

Why would a child want to do something which puts his friends and teachers at risk - I think this must be a windup!

OlympicProcrastinator · 22/09/2020 20:06

Criiiinge. I’d never want to be ‘that’ parent. Jeeez, what’s wrong with, you know, having a friendly face to face chat?

BanjoStarz · 22/09/2020 20:07

OP you’re talking complete bollocks, I can’t believe you’d send such rubbish into school.

Teachers aren’t in the corridor questioning students disabilities, they’re asking if they’re exempt. No teacher I know is going to ask for a medical history proving a child is exempt in the middle of a bloody corridor. It’s a yes/no question.

MsEllany · 22/09/2020 20:08

So your letter wasn’t needed then? You could have literally just asked instead of making yourself sound like a barely literate crazy Facebook science denier?

And no. I don’t think I will send a letter to school littered with legalities I have taken from a Facebook page and that have only the barest resemblance to actual law. Especially when my objection is ‘I don’t want to ask for an exemption but I also don’t want my kid to be inconvenienced in any way’.

Downton57 · 22/09/2020 20:10

OP, are you one of the Us for Them lot? If not, you should join. You'd fit right in.

cologne4711 · 22/09/2020 20:11

My DD is in year 13 and if wearing a face mask on the school bus and whilst moving around school is deemed necessary for her education to continue then sobeit. No face masks are required in lessons so this is only a minor inconvenience

Exactly. My ds says that everyone is wearing a mask on his school bus. And we live in an area with very few cases. Not a coincidence.

Just wear a bloody face covering and stop whining. Then those who are genuinely exempt will be left alone as people will know they are genuine and not just making some sort of stupid point.

PheasantPlucker1 · 22/09/2020 20:15

A few kids at my school have the lanyards. These work brilliantly, no nees to ask them. One had his wrapped round his wrist, and just flashed that. Solved me asking and him explaining.

It really doesnt have to be so hard!

melissalou · 22/09/2020 20:19

Fuck sake some of you anti mask brigade just love the drama don't you ?!

Complete drama lamas.

If child has no reason not to wear a mask, unfortunately they should just wear it.

And if child has a reason not to wear a mask, well I would just inform the teacher/s.

Getting on your drama lama high horse with that letter is a bit too much.

P.A.N.A.D.E.M.I.C.

Do you get it op ? That's what's going on.

wentawaycameback · 22/09/2020 20:24

I think the OP is just sitting back and watching all the responses come rolling in. I don't think we should give her the satisfaction.

Nanny0gg · 22/09/2020 20:26

@Mydogmylife

Op , I read your first post, and thought what a complete prat you are. I then read your updates and was astounded to find that I had underestimated you by a country mile. I don't think I have read such a load of codswallop in my entire life
Seconded
Thurmanmurman · 22/09/2020 20:28

Eh? Unless your own child is exempt why would you send this?

NotABridezillaToBe · 22/09/2020 20:36

So you sent a poorly drafted letter explaining he is exempt even though he isn’t exempt. Great parenting.

Katjolo · 22/09/2020 20:39

Ridiculous. You must work for the Daily Fail!

MarriedtoDaveGrohl · 22/09/2020 20:41

You would have had exactly the same result had you been reasonable OP. They hadn't said no previously this is the first time you mentioned it!

The only difference is that they now have your card marked as a nasty parent they can't wait to see the back of. Not that you care of course.

Not very good lessons to teach your child. But almost certainly too late now and so a lifetime of being unpleasant for no good reason beckons for him. I bet you havd such a fun life. Really.

Thisisnotnormal69 · 22/09/2020 20:50

@NameChange2271

My son was quite happy to have the letter actually; and asked to hand it in to his form tutor rather than me take it in, so clearly, being a “helicopter parent” isn’t damaging his mental health.
Bet he was, he’s got out of wearing an annoying mask - what a great life lesson Hmm
kungfupannda · 22/09/2020 21:06

Leaving aside the matter of whether or not the child should be wearing a mask, why on earth couldn't you just ask the school if he could have a pass? If they said no, that would be the time to consider whether a more aggressive approach was warranted.

Also, as a former solicitor, I'm curious as to what 'sent a copy of this letter to our solicitors' means? Did you instruct a solicitor specifically for this purpose? Have you used a solicitor in the past and sent an entirely unrelated letter to them? Do you pay a retainer to a solicitor to be on hand for any matter? Do you use a solicitor regularly and assume that means they will give their immediate attention to any old thing you happen to send them? Or did you pick a solicitor out of the phone book and send the letter to them entirely randomly?

I've seen this sort of thing before, and it always makes me a bit Confused as very few people have a solicitor. Most people instruct a solicitor to deal with a specific matter - or sometimes multiple matters. Solicitors don't just hang about waiting to do a bit of law for anyone they've ever dealt with.

Floatyboat · 22/09/2020 21:13

Op, you sound utterly bizarre. It's like your using your son to fight some battle that only really exists in your own imagination

Arsewell · 22/09/2020 21:23

That letter is ridiculous, sorry. Write a letter by all means to point out that there are reasons why your child won't be wearing a mask but there is no way I personally would threaten staff with legal action before they've even said anything to my child about wearing a mask. They're under pressure as it is.

MomToTwoBabas · 22/09/2020 21:25

No thanks OP. Our school has said kids can wear one if they like but they do not have to. My teens forgot his nearly every day. You are obviously bored.

Tunnocks34 · 22/09/2020 21:40

How mortifying for you.

They’ll be pissing their pants at you, and your letter. ‘A copy has been sent to our solicitor’ Fucking hell. I’m actually cringing.

MJMG2015 · 22/09/2020 21:47

No wonder you name changed