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Secondary education

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Original poster

5 whole days off school and get an attendance letter??

27 replies

Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 11:56

I've had a letter from school stating that my DS's attendance is now at 95%. He's had 5 whole days off school so far. The 1st recorded date is 9/21. The letter states that it's the equivalent of two weeks away from school. Sorry, I just don't get it. What am I missing here. The letter goes onto say that they'll need medical evidence. The reasons for absence is usually that he's been sick that morning. His suffers from anxiety (ASD). How on earth am I meant to get medical evidence for that?
I do understand the importance of attendance and I send him in if he has a cold or I sense he's just making excuses. I really don't understand how they've got their figures.

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 16/03/2022 12:02

5 days would count as 10 sessions for the calculations (am and pm).

Quartz2208 · 16/03/2022 12:05

Yes it would be 10 sessions - so morning and afternoon.

Have you spoken or sort help from the school regarding his anxiety. For example if he is sick would he calm down enough to go in the afternoon.

Letters get sent out automatically when attendance drops below 95% at a certain point in the school year (so now) and can be resolved by discussions.

How old is he?

ReadyToMoveIt · 16/03/2022 12:06

It is 10 sessions but that’s still not the equivalent of 2 weeks off school, as there are 10 sessions in a week. So that makes no sense.

Sirzy · 16/03/2022 12:09

So you think he has had 5 days off but school think he has 10?

So it’s either an admin error, you have mis remembered how many days or you and school are both right as he hasn’t been going in when you think he has?

carltonscroop · 16/03/2022 12:12

Well if they are saying 20 sessions, or 10 days, then they are factually incorrect and you should write to then to set out the correct version.

I would also remind them that NHS do not issues sick notes for illnesses below 5 days and you have no means to provide any 'evidence' other than standard self-certification for short absences.

If the school wishes, at their expense, to provide a private GP appointment on the day of next illness, you will of course do everything to facilitate that

User12398712 · 16/03/2022 12:13

Presumably they are working it out by year. If he has had five days (one week) off in the first half of the school year, he will have had ten days (two weeks) off by the end of the year if his attendance doesn't improve.

Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 12:14

I understand that it's 10 sessions but the letter states - attendance of 95% over the course of the academic year is as much as two weeks away from school. How does 5 whole days = 2 weeks (10 whole days)?

So, should I get him a Dr's appointment now or write to his GP and ask them to confirm he has ASD and suffers from anxiety?

Maybe I should be firmer and send him in the afternoon but he won't take public transport (due to ASD/Anxiety), it's not safe to cycle on his own (again, due to ASD issues) and it's a 45min walk. I drive him there.

OP posts:
DockOTheBay · 16/03/2022 12:16

attendance of 95% over the course of the academic year is as much as two weeks away from school

We haven't had a full academic year yet, it was half at Feb half term. He had 1 full week off in the first half of the year. Theyre saying if his attendance continues then it would be equivalent to 2 full weeks off by the end of the year.

Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 12:17

They have attached the chart. It is 5 random days off since September.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 16/03/2022 12:18

Do they not just mean that if by year end he is still on 95% then the time lost = 2 weeks?

He is currently on 95%. If he has no more absences, his % time off will reduce.

ChuckBerrysBoots · 16/03/2022 12:20

They mean if his attendance remains at 95% for the remainder of the year it would mean he has missed two full weeks of school. Obviously if he has no more time off then his attendance will be greater than 95%.

Quartz2208 · 16/03/2022 12:21

I think what they are saying is that he is currently on track if he has the same amount of time off to be under 95% at the end of the year. So 5 days for 1.5 terms is on course for 10 days over 3 terms

Have you spoken to the school - looked at what triggers it etc. The school may well have access to resources that the GP doesnt so speaking to both helps.

DD accessed CAMHS support via the school not the GP

Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 12:22

I've got to go out now but I'll have another look at the dates and do the maths. Or be lazy and post the chart here, lol.

OP posts:
PineappleWilson · 16/03/2022 12:25

Have you asked school for help with his anxiety - so he can arrive at school reception, or before / after the other pupils to help counter this?

User12398712 · 16/03/2022 12:30

@Walkingalot

I've got to go out now but I'll have another look at the dates and do the maths. Or be lazy and post the chart here, lol.
There is no maths to do. Five days is one week. September to February half term is half the school year. If he continues with the same rate of absence, he will have missed ten days or two weeks over the whole school year.

There are many things you can get annoyed about - whether you should be addressing his absence, whether the school could be doing more to support him, whether it is appropriate for absence letters for children with chronic illness, mental health issues or neurodiversity - but the bare figures are not one of them.

Halllyup17 · 16/03/2022 13:03

If his attendance stays at 95% then he'd have had two weeks off over the whole year. Obviously, if he attends every day from now on, his attendance figure will increase.

It'll be an auto-generated letter. I've had a few about my children (one of whom we ended up removing from school because education welfare were threatening court - she also has asd).

Just keep communicating with school is all I can suggest. If they can see you're trying then they may be more lenient.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 16/03/2022 13:04

@Walkingalot

I've got to go out now but I'll have another look at the dates and do the maths. Or be lazy and post the chart here, lol.
As at the halfway point in the year (eg halfway through the middle term), he has had a week off.

They are just saying if he follows the same pattern, that's another week off in the second half of the year.

Thus, two weeks

Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 15:42

Ok, I get it - it'll be 2 weeks if it continues at 95% for the rest of the year. He's had 5 days off in 7 months. There's 4mths to go. The last day ill was 31/1. Maybe the letter should have been sent out earlier.
Oh, and User123 - where did I say I was annoyed? At best I was confused.
If they want "specific medical evidence" even for one day, what should I do if Dr's wont write a sick note? Get a letter from the doctor now confirming his diagnosis and that anxiety is just one of his issues? Has anyone had to do this? (The school know, I informed them when he joined 9/20) He's no longer under a specialist and I don't think this warrants a referral.

OP posts:
Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 15:45

I could write a whole other post at how his teachers dismiss anything he does, or doesn't do, has anything to do with ASD.

OP posts:
Hercisback · 16/03/2022 15:54

Schools have to monitor attendance as part of their safeguarding responsibility. Random days off here or there can be a flag.

School are saying 5% off in a year is two weeks over a whole academic year. Not two weeks until now.

RedWingBoots · 16/03/2022 15:57

OP not being horrible but it is worth posting your issues on the SEN board. Posters there would be able to advise you in detail due to their own experiences on what you can do to deal with the school.

Toomanyminifigs · 16/03/2022 17:04

The DfE and Ofsted are getting very hot on attendance now. As others have said, this letter will be triggered automatically. Schools must demonstrate to Ofsted how they're tackling absence.

My Ds has ASD. The school must make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure your Ds is able to attend school. That could be allowing him to come in a different gate/go in earlier if he finds it too overwhelming, lunchtime calm room etc. Is he able to explain what it is about school that he's struggling with? Have you spoken to his school Senco? It's true that some schools are better than others at supporting students with additional needs.

Do you feel your Ds needs extra support in order to access school/learning? Does he currently get any additional support? Have you considered applying for an EHCP needs assessment? Things like him not being able to attend school could count at evidence to support an assessment.

I would make email the school asap asking for a meeting and stating the reasons why your Ds is unable to attend school so you start a paper trail.

Original poster
Walkingalot · 16/03/2022 18:05

Redwings and Toomany - noted, thank you.

I have parents evening tomorrow actually (via Zoom) so will ask each teacher if they are aware of his diagnosis and see what response I get. If it's unanimously no or dismissive then I'll request an appt with his head of year. I honestly didn't realise he'd had as many as 5 off and that it would trigger the letter. I have suggested many times to my DS about speaking to school about various issues that come up but that sends him into anxiety/panic mode. I obviously have to do something now though.
Thanks all for your help.

OP posts:
Toomanyminifigs · 16/03/2022 18:21

If you feel that you do want to apply for a needs assessment, there is some helpful info here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

I would also second posting on the SEN boards too. I've had some great advice.
My Ds also suffers from horrible anxiety. I really do sympathise. School can be such a minefield for our children.

Imitatingdory · 16/03/2022 19:44

I agree with applying for an EHCNA, especially if DS is missing days due to anxiety.