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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Letter about absence attendance levels for dc - because of lockdown absences?!?

29 replies

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 18:53

So, I received a standard attendance record warning letter today, because my dc attendance falls short of the required 96%, it is 73% entirely and solely because I didn't send them in during lockdown 2.

My first thought was it's a mistake, so I called the school, spoke to the head, who apologetically explained that he had to send these out to children who could have had a place in lockdown school but didn't attend, because the LA requires them to do so.

My dc went into lockdown school as vulnerable kids during lockdown 1 due to issues ASD ds1 was having adjusting to the world situation. Lockdown 2 ds1 was in a much better place so I didn't send them. No one questioned this or suggested at the time that I should have sent them. I thought I was doing the right thing, I home schooled 4 dc, they all completed the work set daily, it was bloody hard and now I get this stupid letter. It feels like a kick in the teeth tbh.

The head said just ignore it, all the absences are down as authorised, but I'm concerned that this will now be on their permanent records and it may have ramifications in the future. I have no idea what the significance is of receiving such a letter.

AIBU to be fairly cross about this and to feel that it really isn't fair?

OP posts:
InTheDrunkTank · 18/06/2021 18:55

What ramifications are you concerned about? It's obvious you did nothing wrong and the school seem to agree.

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 18:58

Well I have no idea, I've never received such a letter because my dc have always had excellent attendance before. If there aren't any then I'll just shake my head over the pointless waste of time and how anyone at the LA could think it was an appropriate thing to require schools to do and then forget it.

I am concerned that if my ex gets hold of this he will use it to try to either harass me or cause unnecessary trouble with, as he has much form in this area.

OP posts:
OpalBerry · 18/06/2021 19:02

As well as completing the work set did they attend all live lessons or registrations? If so it does sound strange

elfycat · 18/06/2021 19:02

I got told my skinny, and I mean skinny child was overweight (she has premature adrenarche, and is very tall because she was doing adolescent growth spurts from 5 years old). She's just too tall for the age range part of the child BMI, and those inches are made up of body parts that have weight.

I threw it in the bin, and mentioned her overweight status at her next appointment. The consultant rolled her eyes and said DD1 could do with putting on half a stone.

But the school had to send the letter within their narrow remit.

In the bin; today's irritations are tomorrow's anecdotes.

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:03

They didn't, for good reasons which were discussed and agreed with the school. No one raised at the time that this was an issue and no work was completed during the live lessons which was not also set on google classroom to complete separately if people preferred. There was no live registration.

OP posts:
InTheDrunkTank · 18/06/2021 19:06

I am concerned that if my ex gets hold of this he will use it to try to either harass me or cause unnecessary trouble with, as he has much form in this area.

That is a hassle OP. I'm taking said ex did fuck all to help with the home schooling? Could you ask the school for some written confirmation that the absences were authorised and that your DC were home schooled appropriately.

Powerof4 · 18/06/2021 19:08

I think that’s awful. I would ask who at the LA has said these letters need to be sent and if you have the energy I’d raise it with them. I wonder if they realise that, as you say, there can be ramifications for what they may see as just a piece of paper. It’s unneeded stress for families trying to do their best this year.

spanieleyes · 18/06/2021 19:08

Hang on. They didn't attend school, even though they were eligible, they didn't complete the work set, they didn't attend live lessons, so what did they do? Because it does sound as if they didn't attend school in any form at all- so it's not surprising that they were marked as " absent"

highlighteryellow · 18/06/2021 19:09

Just ignore it. It's annoying and pointless but not the school's fault and not worth getting worked up over.

I'm not sure why your ex would get hold of it or how he could use it to cause issues, but if he does just direct him to the headteacher who will say the same to him as they said to you.

Luzina · 18/06/2021 19:11

Ask the head to confirm what he said on the phone by email or letter. Keep it in case your ex causes trouble.

Cocomarine · 18/06/2021 19:11

So you know it’s a form letter, the head has said ignore and even apologised, and said it’s all authorised. Latter point meaning that if there was any ramification (there isn’t) you already have the means to refute them.

You ex is an arsehole, but he would get precisely nowhere with this, given the information above.

This is one of those moments where you’re only hurting yourself… forget about it.

The alternative is someone having to go through all the standard letters generated and then making the decision which should go and shouldn’t - when they may not (quite rightly) - have access to all the personal information about your child. Which isn’t efficient. Let it go.

Flowers for having a shitty ex!

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:12

@spanieleyes

Hang on. They didn't attend school, even though they were eligible, they didn't complete the work set, they didn't attend live lessons, so what did they do? Because it does sound as if they didn't attend school in any form at all- so it's not surprising that they were marked as " absent"
They did all the work set, handed it in on time, got feedback, earned house points. They just didn't attend the live lessons where the teacher delivered the learning - I did it with them. There were good reasons for this which were discussed and agreed with the school. I was told that live lessons were not compulsory
OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 18/06/2021 19:12

@spanieleyes Read it again. They did all the work set daily.

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:12

@Luzina

Ask the head to confirm what he said on the phone by email or letter. Keep it in case your ex causes trouble.
Good idea, I will do this.
OP posts:
Isthisbatcountry · 18/06/2021 19:12

@spanieleyes

Hang on. They didn't attend school, even though they were eligible, they didn't complete the work set, they didn't attend live lessons, so what did they do? Because it does sound as if they didn't attend school in any form at all- so it's not surprising that they were marked as " absent"
What part of "completed all work set" didnt you understand?

Ignore the letter OP, nothing untoward will happen.

Underhisi · 18/06/2021 19:13

This is discriminatory because children that did the same as yours but were not classed as vulnerable through having a disability, wouldn't have received attendance letters.

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:14

@Underhisi

This is discriminatory because children that did the same as yours but were not classed as vulnerable through having a disability, wouldn't have received attendance letters.
This is true - the head told me as such, the only reason it was sent was because they didn't physically attend lockdown school when this could had a place if they'd needed one.
OP posts:
Isthisbatcountry · 18/06/2021 19:14

Sorry, actual quote should have been "they all completed the work set daily"

Poppitt58 · 18/06/2021 19:15

In my authority they had to mark your child as code C which means they had granted you a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. It basically records that you were offered a place and made the decision not to use it (which was perfectly fine and lots of parents chose this option!)

This would reduce your child’s attendance percentage on some systems, as code C is technically an absence, but they did not need to send the letter. They granted the absence, it wasn’t compulsory for your child to be there, so they’re being ridiculous.

Poppitt58 · 18/06/2021 19:15

I threw it in the bin, and mentioned her overweight status at her next appointment. The consultant rolled her eyes and said DD1 could do with putting on half a stone. But the school had to send the letter within their narrow remit

The school have absolutely nothing to do with weighing! The school nursing team do it on school premises, but at my school we don’t even see the letters, they’re confidential. We purely provide a space for the health team to use.

Underhisi · 18/06/2021 19:16

Just noticed about the live lessons. If these letters are going out to all children who did not attend live lessons then it probably isn't discrimatory but otherwise it is.

unsure111 · 18/06/2021 19:20

I think it's a joke. I had issues with my daughters and now double check everytime they send a report home.

The last one she got I thought I'd check as they said she was below in attendance. But 1 day they refused her in because we were 2 minutes late (going back after the 1st lockdown) I rang the school stood outside the gate and was told nope we can't let her in. But marked her down as a unauthorised family holiday. The 2nd time we had to self isolate for 2 weeks and they marked her down as unauthorised. 3rd time they marked her as absent in the weeks that we hadn't even had yet. Rang them straight away and told them it was a disgrace to mark her down as unauthorised family holiday. When in fact they wouldn't even let her in. I was then told the member of staff who wouldn't let her was given misinformation.

Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:21

@Poppitt58

In my authority they had to mark your child as code C which means they had granted you a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. It basically records that you were offered a place and made the decision not to use it (which was perfectly fine and lots of parents chose this option!)

This would reduce your child’s attendance percentage on some systems, as code C is technically an absence, but they did not need to send the letter. They granted the absence, it wasn’t compulsory for your child to be there, so they’re being ridiculous.

They have sent the attendance record but no explanation of what the various marks and letters mean. They are marked C during lockdown so I guess this explains it.
OP posts:
Original poster
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 18/06/2021 19:24

Unsure111 that's shocking.

OP posts:
Pipersouth · 18/06/2021 19:26

We had one too - with the absences identified as COVID symptoms and test (one day of normal illness) We contacted the school who said it’s automatic when they get below a certain percentage but acknowledged that the standardised letter should have been adapted for the COVID situation.