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Original poster

How do i opt out of the health assessments in dds primary school?

21 replies

hotbot · 10/06/2011 21:00

Not sure if this is the right place m but hey ho , would appreciate some advice please. We are in the NE of England if it makes a difference? Thanks

OP posts:

fuzzpigFriday · 10/06/2011 21:03

I've no idea but out of interest why do you want to opt out?

thisisyesterday · 10/06/2011 21:05

i originally just didn't give the form back

but they gave me a new one so i just returned it with "ds1 is not to have any of these health checks" written on.
not signed or anything, so no permission given

Original poster

hotbot · 10/06/2011 21:06

sorry fuzzpig -not going to get into a debate about it - just need the info ....

OP posts:

Original poster

hotbot · 10/06/2011 21:08

ahhh thanks , thisis yesterday, i presume the school send out a form , before the tests then? < pfb starts in sept - sob>

OP posts:

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 10/06/2011 21:10

The school usually distribute a letter on behalf of School Health. It is most often a negative consent letter; they do the tests unless you tell them otherwise. So you must make sure you send the letter back but you could also write to School Health, you school will let you know the address.

Original poster

hotbot · 10/06/2011 21:14

thanks so much for the info everone

just relieved that the school have to send something out and it isnt just assumed that i have given permission.

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 10/06/2011 21:44

yeah we had a big yellow form which we had to sign to give consent, so i am pretty sure they can't do them unless they have the thing with your signature on. we got ours either just before or just after ds1 started school i think

of course, it could be down to local health authorities how they do it, so if you don't get anything from school then do ask them about it and check.

mrswoodentop · 11/06/2011 09:38

confused,what health checks do they carry out in school ?I didn't think there were any these days.worrying now that I should know something

asdx2 · 11/06/2011 10:08

I wrote to the school health withdrawing ds and subsequently dd from the health assessment programme after I declined an assessment with the school nurse (he has autism so has a paediatrician and a whole gamut of professionals involved anyway) and she phoned and said she could see him without me present as she had never seen "one with autism" Have to say that when she got my letter informing her that if she tried to see ds without me present, (copied to her seniors, the school and the school health board), I would take legal action then I never heard from them again

Toughasoldboots · 11/06/2011 10:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spanieleyes · 11/06/2011 14:45

In our county, the school only acts as the place for the examinations, we hand out the letters but the replies go to the Health Authority. So make sure the Health authority knows, it might not be enough to just let the school know

2BoysTooLoud · 11/06/2011 17:21

Good grief Toughasoldboots. A weight graph does seem somewhat insensitive!

Michaelahpurple · 12/06/2011 23:20

DS1's class does this "maths with own weight" repeatedly too - hence comment today that he wanted to go on a diet "because I always one of the heaviest". Didn't think I'd be having that talk with an 8 year old boy . And he isn't even chubby.

Northernlurker · 12/06/2011 23:23

We've just had a letter and need to write to withdraw dd2. I will be doing so.

Ripeberry · 12/06/2011 23:34

Why do you not want to do anything about it? Running away does not help.

fuckmepinkandcallmerosie · 12/06/2011 23:36

IIRC you get a letter where you are asked to consent.

I didn't with DD2 for good valid reasons. Led to an interesting conversation with the school nurse team.

Northernlurker · 13/06/2011 08:06

Ripeberry - I'm not sure if you're addressing me but if you are I can assure I'm not running away from anything. Dd is a normal weight for her height. My issue is that I do not subscribe to a weighing and measuring exercise which will encourage her and all her classmates to dwell on their physical size and shape. I believe that's harmful and whilst I cannot do anything about the other children I will not subject dd to it.

fuckmepinkandcallmerosie · 13/06/2011 09:29

NL - I agree. In my case, DD is small for her age, and has been bullied as a result. I didn't feel that pulling her out every term for a height measuring exercise was helpful, and at the end of the day she's just small, there's nothing they could do about it.

IndigoBell · 13/06/2011 10:14

Well, to others who are reading, I can tell you that normally height and weight data isn't shared with anyone - not even the parents.

But the hearing and vision test you get in Y1 can pick up problems that can and should be sorted.....

My friend's vision test picked up that he was virtually blind (prescription needed of +13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - but amazingly no one had realised it.......

Glue ear type stuff is also often picked up.........

I'm sure the posters on here do have good reason to withdraw their DC, but they are exceptional circumstances.

mummytime · 13/06/2011 10:26

Around here there are very very few health checks. One weight and height in infants. I don't think they ever check eyes or ears (unlike in my day).

Northernlurker · 13/06/2011 18:18

Indigo - dd2 participated in the checks they have when they start school and I agree that has some use. Our letter specfically says that we will be told the results of these year 5/6 measurements. I feel this will lead to peer discussion and frankly obsession with body size that are daughters are already far too exposed to. There is precious all I can do about that - but what I can do, I will.

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