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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:
Newnamenewopenme · 22/09/2020 14:34

What other school policies have you decided your child is exempt from?

Is he allowed to receive warnings in lessons when he misbehaves? Or is he allowed to jeopardise the education of others?

Does he have to line up and pay for his dinner like the others? Or can he just go steal from the the counter?

Does he have to complete the work to therefore achieve decent GCSE results and then have options open to him when he leaves school? Or are you one of those parents that sends in notes explaining why he hasn’t done his homework because he couldn’t be arsed.

I wonder if this could impact him in later life, he can’t afford something in a shop- takes it anyway, a girl says no on a night out- Mummy taught him he can do what he wants!

Your child is special to you, you will want what’s best for them, but in the grand scheme of things he isn’t always an exception, teach him to do great things, not to get away with things!

icedaisy · 22/09/2020 14:35

Oh dear.

If I got a letter like this from a client, I would cringe, then pop an email to my secretary telling her not to take on any work for OP at present, certainly not if school related.

Struggle with mask is not an exemption. Homeschooling is an option.

ReadtheData · 22/09/2020 14:35

OP, you do know why they are encouraging everyone to wear face masks, don't you??

We're in the middle of a frickin pandemic and it's a small thing we can all do, genuine medical exemptions aside, to help stop the spread and protect people, the economy and, of course, protect education by keeping other children and the teachers safe!

I bet you're one of them, that if the government told you you weren't allowed to wear a mask, you'd be wearing one all the time...

Starksforthewin · 22/09/2020 14:36

Utterly ridiculous letter. Your pomposity is an embarrassment.

Are you one of the bonkers covid deniers, OP? Let’s hope your attitude doesn’t see any of YOUR loved ones catching the virus, because you clearly don’t give a fuck about anyone else.
Mask wearing and social distancing are the measures to get us out of this hideous situation.
You should be teaching your children about the common good and encouraging them to be good citizens.
If they are that ill they can’t wear a mask, then school them at home and do the rest of us a favour.

x2boys · 22/09/2020 14:36

My son genuinely can't wear a mask he has severe autism and learning disabilities and just pulls them off ,he has no concept ,that there is even a pandemic ,so people who won't wear a mask just because ,are putting him and others like him at risk .

MiniCooperLover · 22/09/2020 14:36

You sound deranged OP. Your son doesn't like the masks, whose does ?!? Make him wear it or home school him and give the school a break from you and your mad letters.

Thisismytimetoshine · 22/09/2020 14:37

@wombat1a

If I was the headmaster and getting letters like this I think I might invest in a cabinet somewhere for these letters to be pinned up for the teachers to see them and know child X is exempt.

It would also help the teachers know which kids have those parents too.

But these children aren't exempt. You're not exempt just for the asking (or demanding!)
Parker231 · 22/09/2020 14:37

I don’t have an issue with children wearing a mask all day at school. They manage ok in other countries and it’s not forever.

GalaxyCookieCrumble · 22/09/2020 14:38

Totally unnecessary @NameChange2271

If you are more concerned over wearing a face mask then catching Covid clearly there is a big problem

KatharinaRosalie · 22/09/2020 14:39

Why would we all send this letter? My DC do not have disabilities that would exempt them from wearing a mask.

I don't think you have answered, does yours? In what way does he 'struggle'? Doesn't like the mask? Nobody does. That's not a disability.

TempestHayes · 22/09/2020 14:39

My son has sensory issues and also "does not like masks."

I explained to him they were needed and were law.

He wears one without a fuss. Because he's a good, responsible kid. Because it helps protect others.

Make yours wear one too and you won't have to fuss about being a nonsensical mask denier because you feel your kid's above such things. No one "likes" them, many dislike them.

Lindy2 · 22/09/2020 14:39

Wow. Who would have thought being asked to protect others would cause such outrage.

Don't send that letter OP. You will look like an idiot. If your child has an absolutely genuine reason for not being able to wear a mask, talk to the school about it.

GuyFawkesDay · 22/09/2020 14:40

Sigh.

Stop bring a knobhead, OP and start teaching your child about their responsibilities as well as their rights.

Vinosaurus · 22/09/2020 14:42

Are you responding to a particular incident (or series of incidents) at your DS's school? Or are you essentially threatening legal action about a hypothetical situation (which, at the very least, you're suggesting we all do)?

Schools can't fucking win at the moment. I am sure they will be absolutely jumping for joy and appreciation when they receive your thinnly veiled threat as the parent of an everso special cherub that couldn't possibly be put through the torture of being asked a very reasonable question (and maybe even more than once...perish the thought)!

And I'm sure the thousands of solicitors who are just about to receive a copy of your ridiculous letter, when we follow your advice to the word, will be equally appreciative.

Get.A.Grip.

FucketyFucketyFuck · 22/09/2020 14:44

Do you realise majority of people are not exempt? Why are you telling everyone to pretend their child is because YOU have an issue with masks.

bewilderedhedgehog · 22/09/2020 14:45

Hi - I was just thinking about a comparison between the resistance to wearing seat belts when they were introduced and face masks. Very few people would dream of not wearing a seat belt, and quite similar arguments were put forward at the time. We are getting used to an unwelcome change - my own opinion is that the sooner we accept it (unless genuinely exempt) the better! No one has to like it, just get on with it.....

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 22/09/2020 14:46

Struggling with something is not the same as severe distress. Nothing you have said explains why your son should be exempt. Your letter is awful, rude and inflammatory. And the comment about sending a copy to your solicitor is just ridiculous. If you had instructed solicitors they would be writing the letter for you (after likely trying to persuade you not to do it). If you have not instructed solicitors to act for you then they really will not being open to receiving copies of random letters. You have either instructed solicitors or you haven’t.

HelloDaisy · 22/09/2020 14:47

My dd is wearing hers all day as she prefers it that way. She is the only one in most of her classes to be wearing it so was embarrassed to start with but she is fine now. It hasn’t affected her health, skin, breathing etc and she is still learning okay.

She has chosen to wear it all day herself, not by us asking, as her dad is vulnerable and she wants to try to protect him where she can. So I won’t be writing a letter.

Figgygal · 22/09/2020 14:47

So they don’t have a reason for exemption they just don’t like wearing masks?

If Not just tell him to get the fuck on with it Like the rest of us have to.

Actually don’t like the schools rules? You do have other options - keep him at home And educate him Yourself

And don’t send that letter you will look like a right tit

fortyfifty · 22/09/2020 14:47

It's usually best to speak with a teacher at your DC's school and see what can be worked out. Better to work with them than to send them letters threatening legal action. Are you one of those people who have always had zero respect for the teaching profession?

Devlesko · 22/09/2020 14:47

Mine isn't exempt, though and wants to wear one.

yolio · 22/09/2020 14:47

You are making your child into a little snowflake unfortunately. S/he will end up being ridiculed and bullied. Other parents might not be happy with the fact that s/he is not protecting other in the school either, and could be a vector for spread.

Anyway if you want any advice I'd home school for everyone's sake and leave the drama at home.

Venicelover · 22/09/2020 14:48

Ridiculous OP. Your child is not exempt from wearing a mask unless he has a medical condition. He may not want to wear one but that is tough. You should be ensuring he understands why he should wear one, and encouraging him to comply, not writing a (frankly) puerile letter to teachers who are just about coping with the restrictions whilst trying to educate our kids.

PalTheGent · 22/09/2020 14:49

YABU and a bit bonkers.

That is all.

Quickchange5 · 22/09/2020 14:50

You can write this letter in a lot less confrontational way - I suggest you redraft

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