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Further education

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Original poster

6th form absence

17 replies

Mylifehasimploded · 12/01/2022 11:44

I was unable to take my child to 6th form as I was unwell, and it wouldn’t have been safe to drive.
There are no buses, no other students from our town attend this school, only a couple of teachers live in the same town.
I was honest and said I was too unwell, they’ve marked her as unauthorised absence and threatened ‘consequences’ if she’s not there tomorrow.
Should I have lied and said she was unwell?
What ‘consequence’ will it have?
It seems harsh as I was totally honest. She has never missed a day of school because of me being unwell in the whole time she’s attended school.
I have no one to help. Her father isn’t in her life, or his family, no friends I could have asked.

OP posts:
Bramshott · 12/01/2022 11:55

Could you organise a taxi for tomorrow?

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 12/01/2022 12:12

I thought of that, but I can’t afford a taxi. School is 12/13 miles away, and I just don’t have the money for 2 journeys

OP posts:
steppemum · 12/01/2022 12:12

ignore.

The worst they can do is refer to educational welfare. Givenyour situation, and that you phoned in to tell them etc, they will be fine.

The only reaosn it might not be fine is if she has missed a lot of school in the last few months?
If her attendance is generally fine, then it will not be a problem.

ANameChangeAgain · 12/01/2022 12:19

If there is no public transport and you cannot afford a taxi tomorrow can she stay with a friend tonight?

SingingSands · 12/01/2022 12:24

So until now she's had 100% attendance? I'd not even worry about it.

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 12/01/2022 12:27

She’s had 2 days absence since September for a sickness bug, nothing else.
The one friend she could stay with……I’d need to get her there (her mum is scared to drive to me), so I’m in the same situation of not being able to drive/expensive taxi.
I’ve looked at buses. 2:5 hours each way, with 2 changes. She only had one lesson today, the rest of the day was going to be ‘enrichment’, which generally means self study

OP posts:
steppemum · 12/01/2022 13:44

Have you any idea how long you will be unable to drive?
I think it does make a difference if 1-2 days or 5-6 days.

But still, with attendance, their only route is to report to educational welfare, who are quite sensible, and in your circumstances would be understanding.

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 12/01/2022 20:04

She’s had 2 days off, I will be driving her tomorrow

OP posts:
Legoisthebest · 12/01/2022 20:27

If she is in 6th form she is over compulsory school age and under no legal obligation to be there so surely she can't be marked down as 'unauthorized'?
It's 6th form - perhaps she should have been the one to contact the school, explain the situation and email her teachers to ask for work she could do from home. I remember when I was in 6th form if you were off ill and then came in the next day with a note from mum the teachers wouldn't be interested in it (but that was a thousand years ago).

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 12/01/2022 20:53

I emailed school to let them know I couldn’t get her there, I did ask for work to be put online. I wish I’d just lied and said she was unwell.

OP posts:
imjustanerd · 12/01/2022 20:55

It's 6th form, I didn't think there was any legal obligation to be there? I don't think you can get in trouble for missing a day?

Orchid876 · 12/01/2022 21:10

Students must stay in school (or apprenticeship or training whilst working part time) until 18 now, that changed a few years ago. But as her attendance has been good, I’d absolutely ignore their threats. There won’t be any “consequences” for a couple of days off.

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 14/01/2022 13:48

Unfortunately the situation has become worse.
My car broke down last night on the way home from school, and has had to be towed to a garage, thus leaving me with no car until Monday evening.
To say school aren’t happy is an understatement. That will be 4 days of unauthorised absence, and they’re refusing to tell me what/if any consequences are.

I can’t afford taxis. I’m now having to find £1200 for repairs to my car.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 14/01/2022 22:42

Education welfare won’t be interested in a 6th former

The school could theoretically ask her to leave for too many unauthorised absences. This is unlikely if she is doing well.

Legoisthebest · 14/01/2022 22:58

Your daughter needs to communicate with her teachers explaining the situation. They may have a solution such as a car share with another student or member of staff. How do other students who live near to you get there? Some may take a shared taxi (so less cost).
She should ask for work to do at home and be in good contact with her teachers. This will show that she wants to be at school, wants to be learning - so they couldn't ask her to leave for poor attendance or not doing work because she has shown maturity and willing about trying to come up with a solution.
You will not get into trouble from any education welfare people because 6th form is not compulsory and she is over statutory school age so don't worry about that.

Original poster
Mylifehasimploded · 14/01/2022 23:18

She’s asked for work, and has completed all work set for her. There’s no one else living nearby other than a couple of teachers unfortunately. They have a good set up for online learning due to Covid, but they claim that Covid absence is planned, which I guess it is after the first day of isolation/positive test.
There communication through school email and a homework network.

OP posts:
Legoisthebest · 14/01/2022 23:36

Really then they shouldn't have any issue. It's circumstances beyond her (and your) control so not much they can do.

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