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

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

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?

@BewareTheBeardedDragon

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.

Could you ask the school for a note in writing (email would do) confirming what they told you on the phone?

sorry, just read back

Ignore it - local authorities try and justify their existence sending lots of these letters.

We got one saying DS was obese (a year after they'd weighed them) and they'd got his height wrong. I know this as we measure his height in a book. Plus he's a skinny minny and could not be mistaken as obese by any stretch of the imagination.

I called and explained. They were doubtful that anyone would get the height wrong ( despite them taking a whole foot off him). They didn't want to see my book but asked me to email a photo of DS. I sent one of him on holiday in swim shirts and the woman confirmed it was obviously a mistake - but they can't change the numbers so DS is marked as obese for evermore on their stupid records.

@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 complete the work set every day, it says so in the op.