What shall I tell school as reason for DS absence

[bumpertobumper]

DS is doing his a levels - exams start in three weeks. His school policy is that all students have to be in for the full day - not just classes like many sixth forms. They don’t break for study leave until after half term, by which time he will have done most of his exams.
He finds it much easier and more productive to study at home, so on days when he doesn’t have many classes he has already stopped going in, and after next week says he doesn’t want to go in at all. Apparently most of his friends are doing the same.

Do I just keep reporting him sick? I don’t know what to say to school… what do they want to hear from me?

I am not looking for a discussion about the rights and wrongs of him not going in at this stage - he has done very well in his mocks, is motivated to do well and I trust him to know what works best for him.

What, if anything, would be the consequences of telling the truth? They can't fine for unauthorised absence as he's presumably above compulsory school age and no school is going to kick him out this close to exams. The only think I'd want to check is if it'll stop him attending prom or other leavers events.

He might be doing himself a disservice by not attending classes to go through past papers and hone exam technique. I would not bother ringing him in “sick” though, he needs to face any consequences.

I'm surprised an 18 year old isn't responsible for reporting the reasons for their own absence?

Surely at 18 you need to be accountable for your own actions? I mean just tell the school you're away and don't know why he's absent? If you are forced to give them some response about it.

Well the wrong is he thinks it's fine to lie to be absent and tbh not sure why your ringing in mine has been since 16 himself the two times he has genuinely been ill

The only think I'd want to check is if it'll stop him attending prom or other leavers events.

Up to ds to check for himself. No way should op be running round doing this at his age.

What’s the disadvantage to telling the truth?

Why lie for him? I've never lied to report my minor child's absences because that would teach my son not to accept consequences of his actions and as well as support lying.

If he's made a choice than he needs to accept the consequences of his actions. He can defend his reasoning with the school not force it on you.

Tell the truth. It’s that funny anomaly where if they were working they’d rightly be seen as an adult, but schools insist on infantilising them be deferring to the parent.

We had this during GCSEs. I logged her absent on ParentMail and stated honestly that she was studying at home. They didn’t follow up with me. I think they can allocate an appropriate code to it. I suspect our school just didn’t want a generic ‘everyone on study leave’ policy as for many kids it would not have been in their best interests.