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Primary education

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Original poster

Head refusing to authorise absence...

40 replies

twistyfeet · 07/07/2013 19:32

for a severely sick life limited child to go to a hospice. FFS. Its respite and a break for us ffrom constant care. 10 days a year must be taken in term time or we lose them. Only 4 may be weekend or holidays due to the massive demand.
So we took 3 during term time after yet another serious op and the Head has put down 3 days unauthorised absence and sent a shitty letter home.
What do we do?
I am angry and tearful and stressed as hell.
Can they fine us? Or will the LEA hve aheart?

OP posts:

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KansasCityOctopus · 08/07/2013 09:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cory · 08/07/2013 09:53

We had to deal with a HT with a similar mentality once.

Best advice is put everything in writing, every date, every time and send it to the head, cc'ing the SENCO, teacher and board of governors. Explain everything about your dc's condition, the seriousness of it, and that the hospice is part of the medical treatment.

(Also, keep private notes of everything the head says to you - with dates.

If you have meetings, bring somebody along to take copious notes and let the head see that you are doing it.)

Someone like this relies on intimidation and on you becoming flustered and losing it. Don't give them the satisfaction.

xylem8 · 08/07/2013 10:02

In future don't ask for authorised absence just say she is going to the hospice.

Bluebell99 · 08/07/2013 10:08

I am horrified for you, and would suggest naming and shaming this head and local authority in the press. Hugs to you and your dd.

mummytime · 08/07/2013 11:03

I just have to echoe this is appalling.

In future record everything in writing, email will do.

GeekInThePink · 08/07/2013 11:06

I am so angry on your behalf!
Good advice in above posts.
Hope your daughter is ok

CashmereHoodlum · 08/07/2013 11:36

This is quite possible the worst thing I have ever read on Mumsnet, and heaven knows, there has been plenty to choose from. I can't believe anybody could be so cruel as to pile this extra stress onto you in the knowledge of what you are going through as a family.

JaxTellerIsAllMine · 08/07/2013 11:41

cory is spot on. Put everything in writing - an email to head, cc SENCO etc will do, but then there is a traceable route for you. If it isnt in writing it isnt 'real' and school can do/say what they want.

The HT sounds like a total eejit.

Original poster

twistyfeet · 08/07/2013 16:08

I rang the head of the resource base and she is investigating on our behalf. I told her how hurt and angry we were and how we have never taken a holiday or missed a day of school for anything frivolous. I know I should have written but its another 'task' IYSWIM.
Thankyou for all the advice. Hopefully this Head will bugger off and the old one will come back.

OP posts:

PuppyMonkey · 08/07/2013 16:18

I work at a local newspaper. You would be front page, I guarantee. So sorry for you.

You're not from Nottingham are you?

melody1771 · 09/07/2013 02:26

I am really shocked at this. Does the hospice have a teacher.....like hospital schools service? If so then your child is being 'educated off site' and her absence should be recorded as a B. alternatively phone the school and say she is sick when she goes into the hospice. After all it is not really a holiday for any of you. Does the hospice have a social worker who could intervene for you?

Just throw he snotty letter into the bin. If you do get a fine refuse to pay it and contact the local authority. There is no way they will make you pay it.

Good luck
Mel

rundontwalk · 09/07/2013 02:43

Am speechless. There is NO WAY you'd ever get fined. Surely this has to be a mistake?! Agree with previous posters-in future,don't ask, just tell them she's at the hospice. Hope you get resolution quickly & I'm so sorry you have this additional stress.

Pozzled · 09/07/2013 08:00

OP, I'm also appalled, but are you sure that this letter is from the head and directed at you personally? It is just possible that the school has a policy of sending out a generic attendance letter with reports, to anyone whose attendance falls below certain levels. An admin worker could have followed the policy without being aware of your circumstances.

(Obviously if the letter is personalised to you, then ignore me- I just hate the idea of a head being so callous)

vess · 09/07/2013 12:39

AFIK unauthorised absence doesn't automatically mean you'll be fined or prosecuted.

Original poster

twistyfeet · 10/07/2013 16:13

They said I wont get fined but the absences will remain 'on file'. Future hospice visits will be authorised (yes, I did hint that I would call the papers and explained how stressed this had made us)
I think the resource base Head was mortified to be honest and walking a very delicate line between me and the school Head. Miserable old prune faced hag.
Oh, and apparently, EWO's no longer exist so I dont have to worry about a visit from one anyway.
Thankyou for all the advice and the place to have a rant.

OP posts:

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