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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send my children to school today even though they are unwell and clearly contagious

354 replies

sicknotez · 09/09/2024 07:59

They both have nasty coughs/colds. I know that the best thing for them would be rest (and their inhalers). I know they are clearly contagious.

But under the new rules as I understand I would need a doctor's note or it would be unauthorised absence? And it doesn't seem right to waste a stretched doctors time with this when they don't need anything prescribing.

So I guess I send them into school and wait for school to send them home and in the meantime they will infect their teachers and classmates?

It seems like a stupid new system to me.

They both have chronic conditions so it's likely they will need quite a number of days off in the year. Despite this they are both steaming along in top sets. They love learning and hate missing school and would happily do work at home when ill if teachers sent them some

OP posts:
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Firenzeflower · 09/09/2024 08:02

Of course it’s not a good idea. It’s mean and incredibly crappy.
Keep them home, call the school and explain.
Performance parenting is such a pain in the ar*e.

AliceMcK · 09/09/2024 08:02

What new system?

im still half asleep so maybe missing something but I’ve not heard anything about needing a Drs note for a sick day.

My DDs been up all night with a fever, she’s fast asleep now, I won’t be sending her in and I won’t be contacting a Dr.

AugustSlippedAwayIntoAMoment · 09/09/2024 08:02

YABU unreasonable to send them in.

I work in an office full of people who have school aged kids. Because people send their kids into school while they're sick, people in the office get sick all the time and through winter it's just horrible.

Setyoufree · 09/09/2024 08:03

You obviously keep them at home.

Starlightstarbright3 · 09/09/2024 08:03

You inform the school what you have here - tuck them up .

its a stupid system because no gp will write a sick note for a child for a bad cough and cold .

Tel12 · 09/09/2024 08:04

Keep them at home. They are ill and need looking after.

Mybusyday · 09/09/2024 08:04

Please don't send your ill children in to school to infect my children

Hoardasurass · 09/09/2024 08:04

You can self certify for 5 days at work, college or school so why would you need a sick note

Timeforaglassofwine · 09/09/2024 08:04

Don't send them in. It's unfair on them and everyone else. Sending them in to prove a point of malicious compliance wouldn't do them any good.

Blink282 · 09/09/2024 08:05

I can’t see anything in here about needing a sick note from a doctor on day 1?
educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/19/fines-for-parents-for-taking-children-out-of-school-what-you-need-to-know/

autienotnaughty · 09/09/2024 08:06

It's like they think parents are conspiring to keep children off! Of course we want them to go to school we have work and other responsibilities. The worrying thing is if it gets recorded as unauthorised, if that happens a few times you could get fined. But as if gps have time to write out sick notes for colds 🙄

TheFormidableMrsC · 09/09/2024 08:07

You absolutely do not send them in. I can't believe you're even asking!

Hollowvoice · 09/09/2024 08:08

Illness is authorised absence. If school have reason to doubt the illness they can ask for evidence.
Keep your children home to recover.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 09/09/2024 08:09

Why does it matter if it goes down as unauthorised? Your kids are sick Confused

Original poster
sicknotez · 09/09/2024 08:09

Blink282 · 09/09/2024 08:05

I can’t see anything in here about needing a sick note from a doctor on day 1?
educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/19/fines-for-parents-for-taking-children-out-of-school-what-you-need-to-know/

Based on previous years my children are inevitably going to have more than 5 days off over the course of the year.

I value education. I value it to the point I paid for tutors during the pandemic when their primary school just vanished.

But my children have chronic conditions and inevitably get ill.

OP posts:
Original poster
sicknotez · 09/09/2024 08:09

Hollowvoice · 09/09/2024 08:08

Illness is authorised absence. If school have reason to doubt the illness they can ask for evidence.
Keep your children home to recover.

What evidence am I supposed to provide?

OP posts:
TinyYellow · 09/09/2024 08:10

No one is telling you to send sick children into school.

Golaz · 09/09/2024 08:11

I think people are missing the point of the OP. It’s about the stupid new rules that are putting OP in a ridiculous situation where she feels compelled to send kids to school with a cold.

Original poster
sicknotez · 09/09/2024 08:11

Mybusyday · 09/09/2024 08:04

Please don't send your ill children in to school to infect my children

Pretty sure someone else's children affected mine in the first instance.

For the avoidance of doubt. I totally agree with you and until the new guidance came in this year I wouldn't have contemplated sending them in on a day like today

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 09/09/2024 08:11

Can you post this new guidance, it has passed me by

Original poster
sicknotez · 09/09/2024 08:11

Golaz · 09/09/2024 08:11

I think people are missing the point of the OP. It’s about the stupid new rules that are putting OP in a ridiculous situation where she feels compelled to send kids to school with a cold.

exactly

I'm immune suppressed. I am steaming mad that attendance even when ill seems to be the new pressure. It's utterly ridiculous.

OP posts:
Wonderballs · 09/09/2024 08:13

Could you take them to the office and have them sent home from there without mixing with the other kids?

Original poster
sicknotez · 09/09/2024 08:13

TinyYellow · 09/09/2024 08:10

No one is telling you to send sick children into school.

School essentially said more than 5 days off without a doctor note and we can be fined.

Why would I waste GP time when the children don't need treatment they just need rest?

OP posts:
Augustbub · 09/09/2024 08:13

Don't the five days need to be consecutive, and it's actually only over '10 sessions' so five consecutive days, when action is taken? It's not designed to make ill children go to school

sunsetsandboardwalks · 09/09/2024 08:13

Golaz · 09/09/2024 08:11

I think people are missing the point of the OP. It’s about the stupid new rules that are putting OP in a ridiculous situation where she feels compelled to send kids to school with a cold.

But why do the rules matter?

If they're sick, they're sick. Who really cares if it goes down as "unauthorised"?