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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What did your DC's school do if you couldn't get your DC to school as you are too unwell?

423 replies

UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 02:32

Just posting here for traffic.

If you are a single parent and have been in a situation that you were still ill to get your DC to school what did school do? I will probably be in this situation next week. This happened once prior to Covid and some of the pastoral care teachers came and picked my DD up. It happened once recently and they suggested she stay at home and do online learning. That was fine as I had twisted my ankle and couldn't put any weight on it but I could help with online learning. However this time I have Covid and will not be able to do online learning with her.

OP posts:
RedCandyApple · 01/01/2022 02:36

Nothing, they told me to keep them at home

pooiepooie25 · 01/01/2022 02:37

Is it primary or secondary? At the primary school I teach at, we have an amazing PTA and parent reps for each class. The school would liaise with them to organise a lift for children in this situation.

itwasntaparty · 01/01/2022 02:39

Depending where you are they don't go back for a few days anyway, are you actually feeling unwell? How old is she?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 02:52

@RedCandyApple

Nothing, they told me to keep them at home
Were you expected to do online learning?
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 02:55

@pooiepooie25

Is it primary or secondary? At the primary school I teach at, we have an amazing PTA and parent reps for each class. The school would liaise with them to organise a lift for children in this situation.
Primary. I just hope something like this can happen. She will be so sad to miss school. I'm hoping she will be well enough herself. I was just worried this wouldn't happen anymore because of Covid.
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 02:57

@itwasntaparty

Depending where you are they don't go back for a few days anyway, are you actually feeling unwell? How old is she?
She is 9 and due back on Tuesday. Yes, I'm feeling unwell!!
OP posts:
NoTeaForMe · 01/01/2022 03:02

Tuesday is still a long way away really. You may be feeling well enough to get her to school and back by then. How far away is the school?

Rexthesnail · 01/01/2022 03:08

Pre covid and when I had vulval surgery, pastoral care picked her up

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 03:20

@NoTeaForMe

Tuesday is still a long way away really. You may be feeling well enough to get her to school and back by then. How far away is the school?
It's a 40 min walk there and back. I'm still bed bound. It's touch and go if the DC will be able to go anyway.
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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 03:22

@Rexthesnail

Pre covid and when I had vulval surgery, pastoral care picked her up
Thank you. I'm hoping they can help rather than her have to stay at home.
OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 01/01/2022 03:44

A few weeks ago, I was suddenly struck down with a sickness bug and it absolutely floored me. There was no way I could get my kids to school that day.

School were really understanding. Their absences had to go down as unauthorised as they were off because it was me who was ill and not them, but I was told not to worry.
I asked their teachers if there was any work they could be getting on with, and they all said to do their usual homework they would normally do e.g. reading, spellings, online learning tools such as Reading Eggs, so that’s what they did.
Luckily my sickness bug only lasted for a day and they were back in school the next day, but I think if it had lasted any longer then school would have sent them some work to do to that they would have done in class.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 03:56

@funinthesun19

A few weeks ago, I was suddenly struck down with a sickness bug and it absolutely floored me. There was no way I could get my kids to school that day.

School were really understanding. Their absences had to go down as unauthorised as they were off because it was me who was ill and not them, but I was told not to worry.
I asked their teachers if there was any work they could be getting on with, and they all said to do their usual homework they would normally do e.g. reading, spellings, online learning tools such as Reading Eggs, so that’s what they did.
Luckily my sickness bug only lasted for a day and they were back in school the next day, but I think if it had lasted any longer then school would have sent them some work to do to that they would have done in class.

That was what happened to me the time they came and picked my DD up. I couldn't stop being sick. I just hope they can get her because there is no way I can do any work with her plus she hates missing school.
OP posts:
sweetbellyhigh · 01/01/2022 04:06

They'd pick them up, drop them home.

MsCoffee · 01/01/2022 04:22

My child just stayed at home. Slightly laughable the idea that staff would collect him!

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 05:35

@MsCoffee

My child just stayed at home. Slightly laughable the idea that staff would collect him!
Why is it laughable when that is exactly what does happen. How long did you keep him at home for?
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 01/01/2022 05:37

I'm hoping it won't be but there is the possibility it could be for quite a long time. But one day at a time.

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Blondebakingmumma · 01/01/2022 05:44

I’d be surprised if schools had spare staff to ferry kids to and from school. It would be a big ask if they did though. Asking an adult to be enclosed in a car with a child that potentially has/will have COVID.

icklekid · 01/01/2022 05:51

Why is the possibility it might be for a long time? As a one off school can sometimes arrange to collect children as happened before however they can’t do it regularly and if they do it for one child then they would have to have a good reason not to for another to be fair. With covid numbers could be ridiculous and they would prioritise those with safeguarding concerns. After a one off the onus would be on parent to arrange lifts with friends for example or pay for taxi which you could accompany them?

AgentProvocateur · 01/01/2022 05:52

You should ask another parent. I’m sure they be glad to help.

Londonlassy · 01/01/2022 05:52

Wow. I live in OZ and I have never heard of schools assisting with transport to school. The onus is on the parents is to make arrangements with friends, neighbours and family to get DC to school. This thread is a bit of an eye opener

adreamofspring · 01/01/2022 06:08

Surely another parent or a mate would help? I only have elderly relatives, who I have to care for, so understand you also might not be able to ask extended family. You can return the favour to other parents as soon as you’re well enough. We endure those awful WhatsApp class groups, put in PTA volunteering hours, and listen politely to school gate gossip for exactly moments like this! But it’s only Saturday so unless your isolating or have some underlying condition you might be fine anyway. I can’t see how this is the school’s responsibility to organise, they’ve got so much stress next week making sure 100s of kids don’t all bring covid back from their Xmas holidays. Feel better soon!

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 01/01/2022 06:08

@UndertheCedartree

I'm hoping it won't be but there is the possibility it could be for quite a long time. But one day at a time.
What? Why?
NoSquirrels · 01/01/2022 06:15

Why won’t you be able to help with online learning?

AndAnotherNewOne · 01/01/2022 06:15

I've known it happen for a one off for a couple of days. But after that it was up to the parents to get the child to school.

What makes you say it could be a long time? Seems odd to say that so early on.

ThatsNotMyReindeer · 01/01/2022 06:16

Send her there/back in a taxi. Although if I had covid I'd be keeping my kids at home