Unauthorised absence when everyone in the household tested positive

[selflessisolation]

So. On the last day of term I received a very strongly worded email from the school threatening all things on earth including prosecution as one of my children's attendance over the first half of the term fell below a specific critical threshold. A lot of patronising text about how important education is etc.

The reason it got so low is that we had a period of isolation in September where everyone in the house apart from the child in question had positive pcr tests (and was quite unwell too). I strongly suspect the child in question was positive too (was mildly symptomatic), but I just did not do the test properly (the child is quite young, just of compulsory school age, and was not very cooperative - maybe I did not reach deep enough with the probe).

There has been no indication at all from the school at the time that it would be a problem, but now apparently they consider it as unauthorised absence?. They were fully aware of the situation, the child's "positive" sibling is at the same school.

I can't really believe it, to be honest. Did they actually expect a very young symptomatic child from a single parent household, where everyone else is quite ill and has positive tests, to come to school? Never mind logistics re how they would get to school, but how is this sensible? Is it just our school that is so heavy handed, or is it the approach everywhere?

It feels completely crazy to me that just a few weeks ago in the summer term the children were repeatedly sent home and asked to test for a slightest sniffle and isolate until a negative result arrives.

They have to follow the DfE guidance which says unless positive PCR back into school.

I’m facing something a bit similar actually, and I have every sympathy though.

Schools don’t seem to warn before you suddenly reach the threshold, which seems strange and unhelpful to me.

Remember the wording in the letter will just be standard.

Try not to take the letter personally as its probably standard. I bet if you spoke to them they would be sympathetic. But probably the absence will stay marked as unauthorised. I would be annoyed by the letter too. And I think you were very sensible to keep off school.

I'd be tempted to write a very strongly worded email back asking them how they expected you to get the child to school given you weren't allowed to leave the house.

Schools don’t seem to warn before you suddenly reach the threshold, which seems strange and unhelpful to me.
In our case it is the only period of absence, and it was in early September. And absolutely nothing was said at that time, no indication it won't be authorised at all.

They have to say that. We had the same. I happen to know that it takes a lot before schools do go down the prosecution path and fine parents. They have to warn you though.

They have to do that. It will be a standard email. Don't give it another thought.

Yes, you are probably right, the wording is standard and I am overreacting. It just reads quite threatening and accusatory.

It will be a standard email which they have to send. Put it to one side and forget about it.

They have to follow the DfE guidance which says unless positive PCR back into school.
It does indeed seem to be the case. It is completely mad. Not even in the context of any absence statistics or me personally being upset from receiving the email, but purely from the epidemiological perspective.

Honestly, I’d take no notice of it at all. Despite what the government guidelines are, I’m sure the class teacher was grateful you kept your child off for your isolation and I reckon there would be some grateful parents amongst your child’s peers (those who are clinically vulnerable, have elderly relatives living with them, self employed or have no access to sick pay and really do not want the risk of catching COVID).

I strongly suggest making an official complaint to the LA. The school’s hands will be tied by the LA’s guidance and complaining to the LA may change the guidance. I’ve had our LA change things before, after making a complaint.

Surely nobody could take the child to school because you all have to isolate? Are they suggesting the kid goes on their own? At just school age? 🤷‍♀️

Child in question was quite unwell? Did you tell them that

@Theunamedcat

Child in question was quite unwell? Did you tell them that

It was mainly me who was quite unwell, the positive child had very bad cold symptoms, the negative child had mild symptoms (cough and headache). Yes told them that at the time - and again, the response at the time was we are sorry to hear that, hope you get better soon.

Are they putting the child on an attendance plan?

Hi op school governor here and patent of child with a chronic illness.

The letter is a standard thing that the schools have no choice but to send out. It is a government thing.

My honest advice is ignore it. Absence was unauthorised as against government guidelines but was genuine. So no action will be taken

@JanglyBeads

Are they putting the child on an attendance plan?

Just says that the attendance will be monitored and if there's no improvement in the second half of the term then they will prosecute.

My honest advice is ignore it. Absence was unauthorised as against government guidelines but was genuine. So no action will be taken
Thank you. I probably still can't get over over the fact that the government guidelines were like that in the first place.

@selflessisolation

My honest advice is ignore it. Absence was unauthorised as against government guidelines but was genuine. So no action will be taken Thank you. I probably still can't get over over the fact that the government guidelines were like that in the first place.

Don't sweat it. They are literally a tick box exercise. The school know the reason, they don't have grounds to prosecute. It is a BS government initiative that doesn't actually pick up the true offenders.

I work in a school. The guidelines state that the headteacher has discretion on whether or not the absence is authorised or unauthorised so I would ask to speak to the head, explain the situation and ask for a c code in the register. I'm surprised they haven't done that already as bad attendance reflects badly on the school, not you!

It only looks bad because it's the first half term. If his attendance is fine until the end of the year it won't be "concerning" anymore.

However , it's very weird that they didn't just register him as ill.

My DS had Covid then I had it. School said he had to go back after his isolation, so I had to drive him up and then phone reception for them to send someone out to Collect him. Got so many evil looks pulling up outside school, especially as I live very close 😬 But in your circumstances it was most likely your DC had Covid so I think you were right not to send. How long was the absence ? My DS had a week off for chicken pox before no issues.

Does it actually say they will prosecute or that they may consider it?

It is true that it will be a standard letter but that doesn’t mean it’s ok. If everytime one of these horrible letters is sent, the parent complained to the school and Department Of Education and MP, this ridiculous policy would be scrapped.

I’d suggest you reply to saying something like that you’ve received their letter, you are aware that this type of letter is standard, but to send it to a household suffering covid demanding that a covid symptompatic child attend school is irresponsible and the type of attitude that has made the pandemic so very much worse in England than in the rest of the world. Then personally I’d weite to my MP and the DoE about it.

No, that's stupid. School can choose to code it as a covid related reasons. Write back and ask them to do that, since it would have been impossible for you to get the DC to school, and as the DC was symptomatic, even with a negative test the advice is clear they should be at home until symptom free.