Letter from school regarding my daughters absence levels - she has medical condition!

[BulletProofMumReturns]

Hi,

My daughter was seriously burned 7 years ago. She has ongoing surgery on a regular basis and is frequently off school for appointments or because she's in pain.

The school is great and very supportive. I was rather surprised to receive a letter from he school expressing concerns about her absence levels. I do appreciate its a standard letter that they are required to send, however I find it incredibly insensitive to be reminding me of the importance of regular school attendance

Anyone else had this issue and how did you handle it?

Thanks
BPM

The usual consensus is to say, it's a standard letter they are required to send, what a stupid world we live in, and to file it in the bin and think no more of it.
It is bollocks though.

Yes we do/did. But fortunately our school sends it with a hand written notes saying that they know the situation and not to worry.
But first time we received it, I was in shock/worried, even it came with a note, so I can understand your feeling. Horrible isn't it.

It's their standard process that they're obliged to do. My advice is to officially remind them of your DD's circumstances and not to get worried or stressed by it.

It sucks I know but it's part of the system.

Yes thanks. I do appreciate that it was something they have to do. Just feel it could been premiered by an email or call, or note saying that I should disregard it

It really insensitive given the circumstances

There are so many similar threads too often. It's hard enough having children with needs. I know school has no choice, but I wish all school/staff are a little bit more considerate like my ds's school, sending a note saying not to worry makes so much difference.

I had this when my son was in YR. He had a lot of hospital admissions over the year for a serious health condition including time in PICU and HDU. I kept the school informed at every step, then at the end of the year I received a letter written on red paper informing me that my child's poor attendance was holding the school back from getting an Ofsted outstanding rating. I was so upset and angry that I tore the letter into tiny shreds. So insulting, so hurtful. Another mum in the same situation received an orange letter - her child had had fewer hospital admissions, so not quite achieved a red letter! I had more important things to worry about at the time so didn't complain. I would take it to the governors and beyond if it happened again. It's only a small school, one class intake, so there is zero excuse for the head to have been signing these letters without knowing the context of each case.

I complained to the school. The head called me straight away and was horrified that the letter had been sent and apologised profusely.

So I guess they do have flexibility !

Oh that's good. I assume the person sent out letters are normally admin staff who may not know the situation for individual child. And people who know maybe under so much work and didn't occur to them to mention it. It's unfortunate, but I don't see no malice there.

For me the fact the head allowed the admin letter get through is poor.
The head should know where it is appropriate to send such a letter and where it isn't. They don't have to actually send it home - they could file it for the council attendance officer records in school. There's a lot of admin red tape in schools but I believe a head absolutely can over rule.
Those that won't perhaps care more about Ofsted.

Written on red paper! Good grief, it's like the green pen brigade writing to the council about electromagnetic fields.