My eldest daughter is in year 8 of secondary school. In January this year (when she was still in year 7), she had Covid at the time when you weren't allowed to return to school if still testing positive even if there were not symptoms. This meant she had 6 days off school when she was absolutely fine, but testing positive.
In February she then had an odd sickness bug where she was very sick overnight, then once again in the morning had 2 days off school (following the rule of not returning within 48 hours after sickness/diarrhoea). Then exactly a week later she was very sick again, repeatedly for a whole day and had terrible diarrhoea for 3 days. After this she was really weak (barely ate for 3 days) so had another day off (which was a Friday) to recover some strength - also hadn't even been 24 hours clear of the tummy upset. During the second sickness bug I texted a GP friend to check we were doing all the right things- plus asking if we should give her some rehydration drinks. This friend has always made it very clear that she doesn't mind being asked medical questions by friends, and I wouldn't have used up a doctor's appointment for this as I know how under pressure GPs are.
I emailed the school absence email every day during the illness to keep them updated as per the policy. On the final day of absence (4th day), had a very shirty email from an 'attendance officer' to say that it would be an unauthorised absence because we hadn't provided a doctor's note. I immediately wrote back to say that of course we couldn't provide a doctor's note for a sickness bug, and I wouldn't want to put more pressure on the NHS to get a doctor's note for such a thing. I asked how I could appeal the unauthorised absence as I didn't want it on her record, but she ignored the email. My friend (the GP) offered to write a note for me to say that I had spoken to her, but out of principle I didn't want her to have to waste her own time on this. Asked for an update on how to appeal, never heard anything back.
Fast forward to October this year (now in year 8). We took a term-time holiday tagged onto the October half term. I have never before taken our kids out for a term-time holiday, and therefore we have only had 1 holiday abroad in the past 10 years because my husband and I haven't been able to afford it. The reason for the timing of this holiday is that one of my best friends recently moved to Malaysia, and we went out to visit her for the October half term (and taking the girls out of school for 5 days before this.) I know term time holidays aren't allowed, I knew they wouldn't be able to give permission and that we may get a fine. I think that the opportunity to visit Malaysia was once-in-a-lifetime for my daughters and they experienced so much while we were away I don't in any way feel that they missed out on anything that they couldn't catch up on. I emailed the school well in advance to let them know the dates we would be away. I also didn't lie and say it was sickness, I was completely honest.
Obvs. I knew we would eventually hear from the school(s), although I received no acknowledgement at all of my email sent before the holiday. They have written now, but the bit that concerns me reads:
'due to the number of unauthorised absences now incurred as a result of the holiday, in order for the school to authorise any further absence from school due to illness, medical evidence will be required. This may be in the form of an appointment card, a prescription, medical certificate, or a prescriptive label from medication.'
So if my daughter has another sickness bug, or a bad cold, we HAVE to waste a doctor's time? and surely in that circumstance a doctor would be relying on us to tell them over the phone of the illness, and surely we can't expect them to produce a note for a cold (and as before, I feel very strongly that a GP should not have to waste time on this.)
Basically the school are saying that now they cannot trust our word or ability to self-certify if our child is ill, when actually we have been entirely honest.
I really want to fight this part- I don't want to feel pressured to send my daughter to school if she is poorly because I am worried about being given another unauthorised absence which might lead to further action- but no way am I going to a doctor for a 1 or 2 day absence.
Has anyone dealt with the scenario before? I'm not sure HOW to fight this- the absence lady is following the Academy policy, should I take it up with them? Should I take it up with my MP?
I know we are technically in the wrong for taking the holiday but both my girls are achieving well at school, getting good results and reports, we aren't 'problem parents', we have never taken them out for a holiday before, and won't again...
If anyone has any experience or words of advice I'd love to hear them! Thank-you!