urgent advice needed

[quofan]

Ds2 is 4yo. He has had absences from school. Our of 175 days, he has attended 129. The HM at school wrote to me to say that such absences must be reported to the EWO. Absences caused by conjunctivitis, vomiting, diahorrea, most recent ear and chest infection together, possible german measles and a 'virus' which resulted in an unsightly rash (DR advised to stay away until rash cleared). Thing is I work at that school and she has said nothing to me. His absences are reported to the school and 98% of the time he sees a DR. Where do I stand with this? I thought school was not compulsary until aged 5. All help greatly appreciated.

No experience myself but know of two people who have had same problem but only with children over 5. I think it's just a procedure the schools have to follow. Can you talk to your DR or better still your school HM. I know the two people who had this happen to them lived in different parts of the country but they were very upset by this action. It never went any further just had to get a doctors note every time the child was off sick which must be a pain when your child is ill and the last thing you want/need is to have to take them to the doctor! Hope someone with experience can help.

Hi Quofan - Don't panic - I think it will probably just be the school computer system/over zealous secretary kicking in!

Schools are legally obliged to report all absence over a certain no. of days to EWO - but if it is due to illness etc they would detail this on the info that goes to EWO (I used to work in a school office) but they are still obliged to report it, just in case it is a tiny detail in a bigger picture that reveals something - obviously not in your case. The school is of course also obliged to tell the parents that they are advising the EWO of a child's absence & I suspect they have generated a no. of standard letters & sent them out without reviewing them properly.

If I were you, I would have a word with the Head & check that this is the case, but I'd be pretty confident that they are not asking the EWO to chase you up.

HTH!

yes I agree with batgirl, be reassured - I don't think this means anything personal! As she says schools have computer systems now which track all absences because the government had / have a clampdown on truancy.

All your ds' absences have good reasons behind them so I'm sure they'll all be put down as 'authorised'. Also, you are correct that school isn't compulsory until the term after a child is five - but once a child is 'on roll' at the school the child is part of the statistics and therefore things like this are recorded as for any child. HTH