Unauthorised absences.. please help

[KLou30]

I recently received my childs attendance sheet. 16 unauthorised absences.. i knew DS wouldn’t be skiving and I always contact school to reports sickness etc.. so I contacted them an they told me even though I’ve rang they still an go down as unauthorised shock so I left it for a few hour.. but then I was like nope, this isn’t right.. after doing some research into school policies and procedures it clearly stated I should of been informed about there intentions so then I could provide proof such as docs app etc. (They never did this) After revealing this to the attendance teacher she told me she would inform the principle and they would change them to authorised.. today I received an voicemail stating they will only change three back to authorised.. however I have proof of me contacting school on every occasion even call history of contacting the doctor and pcr test results.. I really have no idea why there being like this, the school isn’t the best an are seen as inadequate by ofsted an have been taken over by an academy.. I’m already concerned about teaching standards aswel!! Sorry it’s so long but what can I do about these unauthorised absences that are actually authorised. Thank you I’m advance x

@TheSmallAssassin

Am I missing something? Why does it matter how they've recorded them?

This is what I was wondering. I’d probably be annoyed as well but it doesn’t matter does it?

@Userblabla it’s does matter though, to me anyway. for one it’s doesn’t look good on me as a parent, and when government guideline say they should inform me so I can provide proof and don’t, yes its really annoyed me and is unjustified

@JaniceBingALing I’m in the West Country in England and our school has a principal and an attendance officer.

The school I work in is the same. All absences, unless proven Covid, or an actual medical appointment or hospital stay, will go as unauthorised. So, all non-Covid illness is now unauthorised. I don’t know why.

If it’s for pcr tests, just say fine, if you won’t authorise the absence I’ll send dc in with covid.

@JoyOrbison

Medical appointments, eg hospital, that are allocated by the hispital are classed as medical. Illness, gp apps for ciughs, colds etc, are nit authorised, they are illness and will add up on yoyr childs absrnces.

Illnesses, and you ringing school to say your child is ill, dorsnt make an absrnce authorised.

And if you want to kniw how the pricedure to chalkenfe tjis and not opinions dont come on a chat forum , use the internet to. Look up the process

An actually gp apps etc are classed as authorised I have also researched this also bearing in mind children arnt allowed in school with a temp cough l, are these not cold symptoms!???

Schools can request proof.
They don’t have to.

@NeedAHoliday2021 haha well she actually said to me send him in poorly for us to send him home from now on! ok

@Wolfiefan

Schools can request proof. They don’t have to.

Oh my god yes they do I have researched there policies and the government policies for what school should follow, I have also attached these to you on previous posts.. and only if a reason isn’t give within a reasonable amount of time can it be marked 0

Reread your previous post

Schools CAN request.
Not they must.

Dd had an emergency tooth extraction - issue of baby tooth still it place potentially damaging adult tooth was spotted at an after school appointment and dentist asked for her to go back next morning to have it removed. I called school and emailed her tutor. She was an hour and a half late into school. Attendance officer wanted my appointment card as proof - I didn’t have one. Dd offered to show her her gum as it was still bleeding . Apparently that wasn’t necessary but next time we need a card. As a parent standing next to her I was confused what exactly they thought we’d got up to in the hour and a half they thought she’d skived. This was Year 7 so I didn’t quite know all the rules. A phone call is fine for a day’s sickness but an hour and a half at the dentist needs evidence. Schools are weird the things they focus on.

Well thank you all for your time anyway seems there a very split opinion on this, however I will be taking it further just not sure how as most replies state how school can do as they please basically.. not in this case they can’t, all proof will be taken into school tomorrow morning, seems the only way I will resolve this.

Don’t steam in tomorrow. Call or email and make an appointment with the appropriate person. Schools are busy with the business of teaching and learning and won’t be able to stop that to deal with something like this.

@Wolfiefan

Reread your previous post

And it quotes “If the authenticity of illness is in doubt, schools can request parents to provide medical evidence to support illness. Schools can record the absence as unauthorised if not satisfied of the authenticity of the illness but should advise parents of their intention. “ you re-read should advice, yes should!! They did not!! It also say “can” for the schools benefit when asking the parent, meaning the parent will need to provide when asked! Which I wasn’t

@Wolfiefan

Don’t steam in tomorrow. Call or email and make an appointment with the appropriate person. Schools are busy with the business of teaching and learning and won’t be able to stop that to deal with something like this.

Not this school there not did I mention it’s inadequate, they never answer the phone either did I mention that ?

@NeedAHoliday2021

Dd had an emergency tooth extraction - issue of baby tooth still it place potentially damaging adult tooth was spotted at an after school appointment and dentist asked for her to go back next morning to have it removed. I called school and emailed her tutor. She was an hour and a half late into school. Attendance officer wanted my appointment card as proof - I didn’t have one. Dd offered to show her her gum as it was still bleeding . Apparently that wasn’t necessary but next time we need a card. As a parent standing next to her I was confused what exactly they thought we’d got up to in the hour and a half they thought she’d skived. This was Year 7 so I didn’t quite know all the rules. A phone call is fine for a day’s sickness but an hour and a half at the dentist needs evidence. Schools are weird the things they focus on.

Agreed, my son is year 7 I’m new to all this but this is the only school in my area with these problems, I’m not the only parent, it’s really bad but there just no room for him anywhere else, I’ve tried everyone is appealing to leave it’s horrendous.

It honestly doesn't make any difference to anything so I wouldn't worry. My children had quite a few unauthorised absences due to extended family health problems and it made no difference to them in any way if they were recorded as authorised or unauthorised.

@TheSmallAssassin

Am I missing something? Why does it matter how they've recorded them?

It doesn't matter unless there is a significant attendance/ truancy issue.

@Mo1911

It honestly doesn't make any difference to anything so I wouldn't worry. My children had quite a few unauthorised absences due to extended family health problems and it made no difference to them in any way if they were recorded as authorised or unauthorised.

I do believe you are fined after 20 unauthorised however this isn’t my issue, it’s the principle of it all and them not giving me a valid reason as to why they’re still not taking them off when I have proof, It’s all very odd

Can.
They may choose to do so. Not they should. Not they have to.
If the school is that awful move your child.
But I can guarantee you marching in tomorrow won’t get you what you want.

No there isn’t but if he is off poorly again then there would be an attendance issue I’d assume, an I just think what! Are kids not allowed to be poorly unless it’s covid

@Wolfiefan

Can. They may choose to do so. Not they should. Not they have to. If the school is that awful move your child. But I can guarantee you marching in tomorrow won’t get you what you want.

No if they are in doubt they can request proof, clearly they were in doubt so why didn’t they ask an mark unauthorised with out telling me there intentions? which may I add says they “ should” do!! What is your problem do you do this on everyone’s post I’m all for an opinion but I’m providing fact an your arguing against them! and just to add Everyone in my area is trying to get ther child out of this school believe me I have tried an his not even been there 6 month!

That does sound very off then OP. You could perhaps contact the chair of governors to express your concerns that procedures aren’t being followed correctly. I’d be miffed too.

@wishing3

That does sound very off then OP. You could perhaps contact the chair of governors to express your concerns that procedures aren’t being followed correctly. I’d be miffed too.

Thanks for your reply, hopefully I can get this resolved tomorrow. If not I’ll try that. Thanks