Has anyone else home educated to avoid hassle over attendance ?

[backedintoacorner]

We can’t get the required level. Combination of pre existing medical issues and constant viruses etc .
can’t sign a contract as I know we can’t influence the % so there’s no point.

At this point seriously considering not returning after Xmas hols and just de registering to home educate as it seems to be either you are fine and can go 97%+ of the time or you’re not ok but there’s no allowance made so it’s constant hassle and threats of legal action causing stress on the whole family

I agree schools are over stepping. YANBU IF you have determined which curriculum / workbooks or online school you're using and you plan to engage with local home ed community and/ or a few clubs.

Lack of attendance was a contributing factor to moving toward home schooling. It was not the only reason but it was one. If the children are sick when homeschool I adjust what we do, stay home from activities obviously but I might include some light school work depending on how they feel or they might sleep in and start school work later.
Its a big adjustment for the family. If you choose to go down the the homeschool route its worth giving you all a period of adjustment.

I tried whilst researching home education and believe me the local home Ed groups are not for us!!!!

I think my issue is I do prefer a formal education which is why I’ve persevered for so long with these issues at school. If I were to home educate I would be following a set timetable and working towards formal qualifications but all I’ve seen in groups is how you shouldn’t recreate school and everyone seems so anti authority and it’s all about unschooling which I’m not criticising but it isn’t for us. I’d have to set work myself, get tutors and join ‘regular’ groups not specific home ed ones as they are at odds with our plans for if we do home Ed

Absolutely turn it around on them. Ask them how they are going to support your daughter’s medical needs. Her attendance is not going to improve. She has medical conditions that require time off. Ask them to work with you on it.

77% attendance is really low though. So I can see why they're persistent in following it up. A week of every month is a lot.

The only thing I can think of is getting the consultant to write a letter that somehow makes her underlying condition qualify under the disabilities act.

I'd want to keep her at school, personally. You haven't said whether she has siblings. If she's an only I think it's all the more important that she gets that day to day interaction with other children.

Schools are NOT overstepping! Schools are following ofsted instructions, and will be penalised if they don't!

I think I'd be tempted to point out that teachers are there to teach and children are there to learn, not be looked after.

How can a teacher effectively teach if they are checking temperatures, getting Tissues, sick buckets, cleaning up mess etc? Equally how is a child who is poorly going to learn?

They shouldn't expect poorly kids in school.

My ds has missed 5 weeks this term. 1 week virus in September, vomiting, fever and cold symptoms.
Same again mid November for a week, ear infection another week inc fever, no sleep etc.
Chicken pox 1 week.
Actual flu diagnosed by Dr 1 week and here we are.

Schools are a cesspit of germs at the minute so I wouldn't worry. Some kids are more susceptible, my ds just has to have a hint of a virus and his temp hits over 40 every single time.

Yes. It's the Government that's overstepping. And it's miserable for everyone else.

No school wants to piss off parents unnecessarily. But the inspection system means that they're left with little choice. As a pp said, we all use OFSTED grades to select a school for our child. And no school can afford to lose pupils because their OFSTED grade has slipped due to attendance issue. Especially if the neighbouring school is now graded higher.

Seriously, even one child with a 77% attendance record will raise eyebrowsat inspection time.

Complain to your MP?

It is like that on the main pages. Have you asked locally if any structured or semi structured home educators with a similar aged child would like to meet or any groups they can point you in the direction of. I actively dislike unschoolers and we don't really mix with them. The normal home educators aren't active in the groups. The unschoolers love an echo chamber and let's face it they have more time on their hands.
But it sounds like you have a plan and aren't rushing into it without taking it seriously. Unfortunately many do go into it without taking it seriously - doesn't sound like you though! So I stick with YANBU. :) Good luck on your journey! It is a wonderful experience

They are if they are requesting medical evidence for absences when they don’t have “a genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness”.

I was under the impression that absence procedures were partly due to safeguarding. Surely if this constant harassment of parents results in children being withdrawn from school registers then that could potentially drive children genuinely at risk further 'underground'.

I'm not implying your DD is at risk OP, I'm just trying to understand the logic in this ridiculous system.

If I were you, I would refuse to provide any evidence that cost me money. Written details of your child's illness from you for each and every absence. Ignore their threatening letters or see them in court. Surely no judge in the land is going prosecute a parent who informs a school of a child's illness and any readily available evidence.

No they are not

They will be required to show to ofsted that they have made such requests.

Just say no, that's all you have to do.

The school only has to show it has made the request for medical evidence, they really don't care if you provide it or not. " sorry - we cant afford the doctors letter" is the only answer required

They are not.

The government slams schools for attendance, therefore it passes down to parents/guardians. Ofsted are on it too.
Headteachers have been sacked for forging attendance data in the past, that’s how much stress is put on schools.
It’s an absolute joke!

I would contact the school and ask for an appointment. Then write down what each absence was as ask them what to do! There is no answer but at least they’ve been fully informed.

Well according to the government’s attendance guidance “Only where the school has a genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness should medical evidence be requested to support the absence.” So to request medical evidence when there is no doubt is unreasonable and goes against government guidance.

So would I

What a cheek and I wouldn't pay for a letter either. The school can pay for it if they want it

Never had all this when mine were at school

Can you look at other schools which are more understanding?

i am all for home Ed when it is the right option but it sounds like for now the right school may be a better option.

ds is 13 now and his primary and secondary have both been understanding of the impact his health has on his attendance

My nephew was down to 65% for many reasons and so was referred to the council education attendance officer. They were very nice and understood why. No further action was taken. Sometimes the school just has to be seen to be doing something.

Keep arguing with two people that literally do the job 🤭

I have tried to be compliant and paid for letters without complaining because I thought it would sort the issue out but it seems rather than offering the proof they want nothing is good enough except getting that level up and we just can’t achieve it . I can’t send my child in unwell and I feel like that’s what it’s really coming down to that they want her given paracetamol and pushed in when not ok just to get that mark on the register

I have supported hundreds of parents in similar circumstances, whilst doing this I have come across many in schools and LAs who don’t know the government guidance, policies and/or laws. The government guidance is there in black and white stating what I have quoted. If you think it is wrong you best inform the government.

There is doubt and they are within their rights regardless of who you have supported, I’ve took over from someone who worked in the area for over 20 years and she was an expert and knew damn well what she was doing. I like @Nimbostratus100 am doing a job within the guidelines, I promise you there is no scope for complaint here.

Also with all these horrible bugs around you are being sensible

Kids do get ill and I wouldn't want to send my dc in when they are so unwell

The reality is that will have had children who miss school on a regular basis for the smallest of reasons mostly because the parent is either over cautious or likes having their dc home so any excuse. Not saying you are but the school will have experienced it. The guidelines for return to school won't take into account underlying medical conditions

We recently had ofsted and they were more interested in the people they didn’t think had been chased enough over people getting upset over letters requesting improved attendance