What are school allowed to disclose if asked for a reference for a child?

[Whataplonkerheis]

My DC, year 9 has developed some anxiety about returning to school after the latest lockdown and we have sought some help from a therapist who has been great. Things are almost back to normal now but it has highlighted some issues with the school.

We have been in discussions with the school regarding this, with a meeting and several zoom calls. The therapist wrote to school, with our permission, requesting some adjustments which would be very helpful to our DC. Some of these the school accepted, others they refused to consider. We know of another school locally that has all the measures recommended already in place.

We now want to move our DC from their fee paying school to this (also independent) one. Entrance exams and interviews have been successful, as their is only one place, with competition for it. They have requested a reference, and have been in touch to say the current school have highlighted that there are mental health issues involved. We might now lose this place, even although the issues are hugely improved and they are no longer seeing the therapist.

Are they allowed to disclose this? I would have thought this was a breach of confidentiality, but would appreciate an external viewpoint.

@UserAtRandom

If you want the new school to put adjustments in place for your DC, surely you are going to have to let them know about your DC's mental health issues anyway? Was it in the context of what they might have to do that they were contacting you?

I thought exactly this. Some indies definitely prefer low maintenance kids who will work hard, do well and not actually require much input from the school!

That is a separate issue from a reference containing health information in it which may, or may not, be accurate. Parents should, of course give accurate information.

I’m glad you have the offer. You could look at it another way: the first school did not want to bother and is happy for the move! Anyway - a result.

@Whataplonkerheis

Many thanks to all who have contributed, as always so many knowledgable mumsnetters.

@Coronateachingagain has it spot on with ”Worried that in these times a prep may be sloppy in providing references if that means they will lose a customer”

This is what I suspect and there doesn’t seem there is much I can do about it. Interestingly the new school admissions policy requires exam and interview but no mention of reference. I don’t see much value in pointing this out to them, it’s an independent school and if they decide they don’t want us that is their decision, particularly as there is another candidate waiting.

Just frustrated with current school. Thanks again for all the advice.

And do think about how the state schools might deal with these spiky requests from some trying parents in Nov. Not sure if I should foreshadow this with my DD's headteacher, don't I?

That’s interesting.

For sixth form references we provide predicted grades and that’s it, as sixth form admissions should not be made on a reference.

@cauliflowersqueeze

That’s interesting. For sixth form references we provide predicted grades and that’s it, as sixth form admissions should not be made on a reference.

No admissions to state schools should involve a reference. However, the OP is dealing with independent schools. They can require references.

Resurrecting as we need some urgent advice.

We are moving from one independent school to another because of bullying and poor pastoral care.

An offer from a new school has just been rescinded following them receiving a reference from our current school, and both schools are refusing to share the reference. If there's an error, how can we address it? We can't think of anything that might be a problem other than a standard couple of detentions for missed homework etc.

I would ask the new school if rather than share the reference they would share with you their areas of concern, if they do that then hopefully you can address them and resolve the issue.