Education Welfare Officer

[itsallwrongisntit]

Hello all,

I have been asked to attend a meeting at the school with the EWO.

My dd is in year 6 and her attendance has been very poor this year. Not sure if the exact figure but she has had a lot of illness

It's an ongoing condition as yet undiagnosed and we are still awaiting tests. I have already given the school letters from the hospital where she has been admitted a few times now.

We have tried a reduced timetable which has been good but she is still so exhausted and we seem to be managing 2/3 days and then she falls bad again and just can't manage it.

She has had fantastic attendance all through school and so has her brother. This is all a genuine thing but I'm just worried and don't know what to expect at all.

Any advice?
Thank you

Any advice?

"Don't worry about it" is my advice.
The absence is genuine and medically sanctioned. The EWO is there to help you manage it with the least disruption to DD's education. and support from the local authority; that's their job.
If you're taking holidays in term time, then they can play the baddie and impose sanctions, but that's not the case here. Don't let them make you feel bad.

Thank you. I've been to GP reception this morning and asked for a print out of all her appointments.

I'm with @rosehipruthie, try to look at it from the point of view that their job is to represent your daughter's interests. They need to ensure that she is able to exercise her right to attend school. From what you've said it sounds like you can provide a clear explanation and evidence that action is being taken to solve the problem, so there shouldn't be any problem.

I hope she's feeling better soon.

Had the meeting this morning.

I don't like the schools approach to be honest. The EWO and them say that she needs to attend and can do mornings and build up from there over the next 4 weeks.

I said it seems to be a fatigue thing at the moment and she is doing 2/3 days and then needing a day off. She just drops. She is in constant pain. They said she can sit in a quiet room.

I asked about work coming home so she keeps up. They refused. Said it would give her the green light to stay off. It seems to me that they are more interested in getting ticks in their register rather than what she actually learns.

Infuriating!!