School want gp note every time dc off??

[Ohtheyresickagain]

Dc appears to have caught every one of the bugs going round since October. It’s been an absolute nightmare on so many levels (them suffering, missing family activities, impact on our work etc etc) that it’s honestly brought me to my knees.

We were presented with an attendance warning letter on their last day of school before Xmas. Lovely way to start the holidays. I know I’m sensitive because of how hard it’s been but it actually made me cry- mostly with frustration. The wording (I’m assuming a standard template?) was incredibly cold and basically said they are ill too often (you don’t chuffing say!) and therefore any time they’re off this year they’ll require a gp note.

Thing is, they’ve only been off for the time they have because of following school policy, which is usual I think - not allowed in with a temperature, or for 48 hours after vomiting. We’ve abided by this and are now being ‘told off’. In the weekly school newsletter they commented on how badly the country has been hit by illnesses this winter as it’s first proper winter free of restrictions since covid etc but some parents have been sending kids in ill and please don’t do that. Gahhhh

anyway. I have no intention of phoning the gp for a sick note for my child every time they have a temp or have vomited. Insane use of the nhs imo. I’m not being unreasonable with this surely?

Ridiculous!

Email them back saying that as you're unable to get a GP appointment (not a lie where I live!) you'll have to send them in poorly in future.

I don't think a GP would issue note until 7 days sick anyway. Ridiculous.

Ask our GPS practice to send a letter to the school advising them that this is not feasible. I'm sure I've heard of this being done in last threads.

@IfOnlyTheyMeantIt well that’s the thing, I also definitely wouldn’t be able to get an appointment for such a ridiculous request. Surely they know that already?

some people have suggested I send them in sick and let the school return them but I think that’s punishing my child so won’t be doing that.

GPs are not obliged to do this and could be considered to be private work if school were to require it. Agree that not every childhood illness requires a visit either.

If the school thinks that GP's have got time to faff around writing sick notes for children, they must live on a different planet.

It’s fine, ignore it.

As you say, it’s a standard letter and the school probably doesn’t personally think you’re wrong- they do want you to keep them off as per policy. They want people to do that so that kids like yours, who catch every bloody bug going, stand a chance.

The problem for the school is that they have to send the letters automatically when attendance drops below a point, otherwise when they’re grilled and inspected they’ll be the ones in the wrong.

Just accept the letter is not worth the paper it’s written on - they didn’t want to send it to you, you didn’t need to receive it - and ignore.

School can ask for a GP note but legally the cannot expect one, or fine you for poor attendance through illness.

Sounds like you are doing everything right op. Prioritise your child not the school's attendance figures

DD has had a lot of time off - we had one of these letters. I am afraid we ignored it - I think it's just a box ticking exercise due to some daft targets set by twats in government. None of the teachers/admin staff seem to expect this.

I'd write to the school saying that you consider it an unnecessary burden on the GPs but provide consent (within the same letter) for them to contact the GP and request a report if they consider it necessary. Leave them to it after that.

The school have been so good in all other respects that this request floored me. They must be REALLY worried about their attendance performance target…

almost made me miss the bit of the letter where they warned me dc’s future attendance would be monitored and a welfare officer would be out of non attendance continues…monitor and visit away, I say, I would love to know how to stop them getting ill!! 🙄

GPs don't do sick notes for kids. Tell the school they'll have to pay for it if they want one,

I dislike the way schools try to put their own attendance score above the needs of the humans that attend. There's a difference between truancy and illness, and if a school is concerned about losing learning, they. An send a package of work by email, assuming child is well enough to do it.

I personally wish ill children would stay at home to avoid passing illness on, but I was slapped down about that by a friend and am sure I will be on here. I was wrong to think that it is not OK to spread illness to a whole class, who might then bring that illness home to vulnerable relatives.

A compromise could be that if you have to send your child in with an illness, to allow other parents to be alerted so they can make a decision.

I worked at a school where a mild nut allergy child was in the same room as a cake that might contain nuts. Child had been running around and eating a lot of chocolate (it was a party during a lesson - long story) and had a tummy ache. Deputy head called an ambulance for the child. In my mind this was taking resources away from those that were in life threatening situations, but the school was trying to cover itself.

Upshot is, it's very difficult to argue with a school but if I were you I'd just carry on as you are.

@NoSquirrels you’re completely right, I wish I’d been together enough to have had this sensible reaction to it 😔

Write back. Tell them that a GP note is not possible, particularly while the NHS is under such strain.
I would point out that those breaking rules and sending children in sick only contribute to greater numbers of absences. Clearly state that they are either in school or unwell, there are no unreasonable absences and as such you will continue as you are. Invite them to pay for a private GP to assess your child next time they are unwell - it won't happen.
the attendance policies are absolute bollocks in the main. Teachers are frustrated by children being sent to school with illnesses because parents are afraid of repercussions and then more children or even the teacher catch the virus.
In all seriousness though, do communicate with the school. Get a human interaction instead of automated letters, it does help. I've been where you are op, and it's infuriating when the know the child has been ill.

DS was off only twice this year, a few days each time, for illness. We also got one of those letters. I was also furious. He had 100% attendance in all previous years.

What I’m saying is that the bar triggering these letters is ridiculously low. They’re stupid and inconsiderate, probably because of the pressure on the school to secure attendance.

Rubbish isn’t it @EatYourVegetables

dc definitely has had a lot of time off in their case but all genuine illness and following school policy, but yes had 💯 attendance previous years.

Are they going to pay the 40 odd quid fee every time you ask the GP for a letter before the 7 days of self certified sickness are up? I doubt it! Ignore OP. Really fucks me off that they know how much stress GP surgeries are under and are advising parents to get sick notes for colds and stomach bugs.

How many days off did your DC have off last term? How old are they?

My friend got a letter like this, but she keeps her DC off at the drop of a hat, "temp" of 37.8 etc, minor sniffles, complaints of headaches and tummyaches etc - her DC had about 10 days off in a single term!!

Tell them you will be happy to do this if they will agree to pay the GP's costs, as it is not a service the NHS provides.

Yanbu. This isn't part of GP contracted work.

The school can pay for it if they require it.

How low is low for the attendance?

School want gp note every time dc off

this will be why you can't get a fuck gp appointment and end up in a&e ffs

Next time your child is ill call school and say this is what is wrong- shall I send them in or not - you decide. If they say no don't send them in ask them to authorise the absence in that case.

I don’t actually know how many days off they had - I stopped keeping track as it was so distressing - but the letter said their attendance was 91% so I’m guessing around ten days?

@SeasonFinale thats a good idea I’m going to do that I think