childs attendance levels

[cola2019]

My son did the whole of year 5 and 6 at primary school without one day off sick. He was poorly a couple of times but always fell ill in the holidays or at weekends. He started yr 7 in September and had one day off for a heavy cold then a few days off mid november for a headache/cold virus with a temperature. He has come home from school today with a headache achy and a temperature of 38.4. I kept him off both times last time and the school said I should have dosed him up and sent him in but he has a 30 min walk to school and back and i think it is unfair making him walk this if he isn't feeling well. I got a letter at the end of last term stating that his attendance was 93.8% and it needs to be higher than that and that no further absences are allowed. I think it is really mean to send him to school tomorrow if he still feels like he does now. What actually happens if I keep him off??

The attendance officer may get in touch. He won’t be the only one as there’s a lot going round. Usual level is 95%

I wouldn’t worry too much it’s a friendly warning. Nothing more.

I monitor 90 and below so don't worry about it.

If he is genuinely ill nothing will happen.

Schools pay for the EWO services and we ask they do home visits at 92% when there is an issue.
Another school may have a higher or lower threshold.

If he is ill then he is ill and should be at home.

Blimey this has shocked me. We are mulling state grammar for our daughter’s year 7, having been in the private sector for some time. She averages 50% some terms due to chronic illness. I’m shocked that any child who has the misfortune of catching more than the average number of round robin bugs at any time, would be hounded in this way! This is nothing short of interference. As a parent you surely have a right to decide what is best for your child. Amazing how state schools are hot on the heels of absentees (whether valid or not), yet are absolute rubbish at upholding their own obligations when it comes to providing educational support for children who are regularly absent through illness. It really makes no sense

My DD is frequently ill, attendance between 85 and 90% is her average, she’s now yr 9, attendance was lower in primary. I’ve had the EWO round twice. He was lovely and content with my explanations, once I did have medication and doctors appointments to evidence but the other time it was just temperatures and sickness bugs one after another. It is annoying getting chased but on the other hand if it’s genuine illness, there should be nothing to worry about.

Goodness me this attitude from schools really does annoy me. Take no notice of them. They can’t allow or not allow your child to be sick. If your child is ill and you think they are too ill don’t send him in. I agree that temperature is far too high to safely or reasonably send him to school. It also illustrates that whoever you spoke to at the school either doesn’t understand basic medicine or just doesn’t care about the welfare of a child in their school. Don’t let the school worry you into sending him in sick next time you think he is too unwell.

Schools have to monitor attendance because x amount of children disappear, are abused, are left alone, used for sex or just truant.

To ensure no child falls between the cracks you follow up all absences even when you feel it is kosher.