School asking for medical evidence - but I don't have any

[CuriousReputation]

DD2 is in secondary and over the last few weeks has taken a few days (not consecutively) off due to a stomach bug, head cold etc etc and now I've recieved a letter from the school asking for medical evidence of her illness. It's not like I pop her down to the GP when she's got D&V or if she's got a cold she can sleep off in a day so I don't really know what the school expects me to do? I can't exactly bring in used paracetamol tabs and herbal syrup, can I?
Oof. What do I do?

Tell them just that. They are under pressure to address absences. Your DD has obviously been genuinely unwell but not bad enough to see a GP.

Ask them what else they would like to see to 'prove' this?

Have you called the school? Sometimes they generate these letters automatically and you just need to give them a call to clarify. One of those minor ailment booklets you get from the chemist is normally sufficient in our school.

Just reply stating as adults don't need a doctor's note till after 7 days absent, that you won't be bothering your already over stretched doctors for a doctors note.
Tell them as a parent you are following the guidelines of keeping child of for d&v and are able to assess if your child is to ill for school.

What percentage absence does she have?

The Dr might charge for a sick note too! The school should accept the absence!

Bonkers, isn't it?

I mean, next time freeze a bag of vomit or diarrhoea or phlegm and offer it to them?

Someone made a post about this last week. There's really very little you can do except telling the school it's a ridiculous policy, and/or telling your local authority the same if it's their idea.

I took dd to an emergency dentist appointment to remove a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out properly. I emailed school before then took her to appointment meaning she was an hour late in. I took her into reception to check whether I needed to sign anything and they demanded a dentist note/proof of appointment. She'd been the week before after school for a normal check up so I'd made the appointment there and then for 4 days later and put it in my phone as I didn't need an appointment card. Receptionist didn't believe me and said she needed proof! Dd very politely said "erm, well you can look if you like because it's still bleeding."

She gave me a warning. Completely bonkers imo. I'd be sending a bag of dds sick next time if I was you but then I'm not tolerant of such nonsense.

Government guidance is the school shod accept a parents explanation of illness unless they have genuine belief that its not true. And should avoid uneccessily asking for evidence. If they have genuine reason to think its not true they can put it as unauthorised if you cant providd evidence.
So depending on your childs record to date you could simply ask them to explain what it is about your explanation that leads them to genuinley believe its not true?

My son has had a terrible year illness size it is 94. Something.

I have given proof of medical appointments but these have all been hospital.

Explain and let them note it on file.

As frustrating as it is the schools aren't doing it because they enjoy it. There's immense pressure to keep up attendance figures as ofsted doesn't care if the child is sick they assume they don't enjoy school.

Explaining it will be enough for the most part. Some schools are v irritating though.

I'd be tempted to print off one of those self certification certificates that workplaces must accept - fill it in and send it