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

[NameChange2271]

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)

I was all in agreement OP until I got to the part about solicitors.
That’s just cringy

YABVU - why on earth would you want to send this letter!

This is the most truly bonkers thread I’ve read in a while! So your son is not exempt. Not only are you choosing to make a mockery of genuine disabilities, but you’re encouraging us all to follow in your bonkers footsteps. The mind boggles

Why? Just why?

Why on earth would anybody think sending this letter was a good idea?
Honestly.
If your dc needs an exemption then have an adult conversation with the teachers at your school.
There is no need to draw attention to yourself in this negative way.

Sure - if you want to look like an obnoxious, sanctimonious arse.

Err no because my child will wear a face mask if it becomes compulsory if he wasn't able to i would just ring the school and explain why

But if your child has a real disability that means they can't wear a mask the school should already be aware. They should not be ashamed of explaining why.

If it's because they are being precious, then they should not be exempt.

What? So rather than helping your child and getting them used to something you feel the need to write a letter like that? Your child will face much greater issues than mask wearing in their life and wearing a mask will protect the people who genuinely cannot wear a mask

Why would I send a letter like that?
a) My child has no issues with wearing a mask.
b) I am teaching her that complying with social norms is generally beneficial to society and as we are in a global pandemic, wearing a freaking mask is the least we can do.
c) I am not a prick who lauds about threatening all and sundry with legal action

You must be an absolute nightmare to know irl

Wearing a mask furs take a bit of getting used to.
Maybe your child can practise wearing a mask at home OP.
I guess if it's just in the corridors it wouldn't be for more than 5 mins. Your child could start with 30 seconds in a mask and build up to 5 minutes from there.
If a COVID infection is spread round school children and teachers will end up isolating at home so it's in you and your child's interest to wear a mask to protect others.

Good grief. School leaders are under the most amount of pressure they have ever been under, they are doing an exceptional job of managing under intense and ever changing circumstances and you want to send a legal style, heavy handed letter?

Ridiculous

You sent a copy to your solicitor??
Oh well they probably appreciated the laugh as will the teachers i expect.

😂😂😂

Oh dear lord yes i always threaten to take legal action every time my children are mildly inconvenienced by something at school, i find it’s a great example to set them 👍🏻

Yes well done OP. I expect your family keeps a solicitor on retainer for all you letter filing needs.

In fact, why don't you just get your esteemed lawyer to write on your behalf? They can fill the letter with legalese and really waste someone's time. And while you are at it, you need to get your family doctor, you obviously have one, again a private arrangement that they see to all your medical needs, to write a lengthy report on why your child cannot possibly wear a mask for a few minutes.

And then together take it to the highest court in the land. I mean how dare they tell you what to do!

You think it's necessary to protect our children... from a piece of cloth? How about protecting them (and their teachers, and their parents, and their grandparents) from a virus which could potentially leave them with life changing long term illness?

If your child is struggling to wear a mask, I suggest you make it compulsory for him to wear a mask for the duration of any screen time at home. I'm sure he'll quickly find it's actually manageable.

So your son has medical needs that mean he is exempt from wearing a mask. You won’t disclose what this medical need is to the school because you “don’t have to”. How do you expect the school to provide what is required and suitable for his needs (in any situation, COVID or no COVID) without telling the school?

And the why the need to mention “our solicitor” (when people use a possessive adjective in front of lawyer or solicitor that always makes me think they have lots of legal problems, so many that they have a solicitor on retainer) when the school has not made any indication that they will not comply with your wishes? Give them a bleeding chance! Or are you always an “I’m calling my solicitor!” type? Sounds like you love the drama of feeling like a martyr for the cause.

YABU if you encourage people to send obnoxious letters like that to their kids' schools. A child may or may not get singled out for not wearing a mask but they'll definitely get singled out for having a 'my parent is an utter twat' sign above their head.

I can't stand anti maskers. Idiots raising their kids to be idiots.

you sound deranged

we have exempt students at my school- their parent just rang up- we said OK thanks - there was no need for anyone to send anything to an imaginary solicitor

If your child is struggling to wear a mask, I suggest you make it compulsory for him to wear a mask for the duration of any screen time at home. I'm sure he'll quickly find it's actually manageable

hahahaha this is on the money!

To those saying he has to wear them in shops etc. No he doesn’t. The law states that there are exemptions. No one is under any legal obligation to prove their exception

This is bonkers. It sounds a lot like the awful advice people were handing out on an antimask facebook group I stumbled across the other week. Kids will be fine in masks. My son is in a class of 27, every kid in his class manages to wear a mask for the duration of the school day. Ds wears a mask from 7:50am when he catches the bus to school to 4:50pm when he gets off the bus and he is fine. Of course there will be exceptions but the vast majority of kids will be able to manage the short bursts of mask wearing you are talking about.

What utter nonsense!