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Secondary education

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School attendance & No allowances for covid

30 replies

Managingteens · 10/04/2022 13:39

So I received a letter yesterday regarding my sons attendance with a police caution??!!!! My son has admittedly not a great attendance record but as he’s had covid 2 or 3 times this year (3rd not confirmed by test) sports injuries amongst other days off for legitimate sporting events (permission granted from the head) and a frequent migraine sufferer I find this utterly unbelievable. They are not making any allowances for covid or self isolation periods. Isn’t the government advice to self isolate if suffering from any covid symptoms? This school won’t allow for any time off for covid symptoms only for positive test results. He was told when he had a stomach bug he could be given a toilet pass??! And when he had a migraine he could sit in a room on his own! I had spoken to the school and been ‘referred’ and spoken to who ever that was on a couple of occasions and been told I hadn’t provided enough evidence to support the reason behind his absence. The school were already aware my doctor won’t provide evidence and in fact my doctor was disgusted that the school was asking for private medical information along with wasting their very precious time In the middle of a health crisis. I explained this to the school who accepted that. On the last conversation I was told again I hadn’t provided evidence as requested and would be referred again. I wasn’t asked for evidence but was then told if I couldn’t provide doctors evidence I should have taken a photo of the pharmacy and the medication...??!! So I failed to do something I wasn’t asked to do?! And taking a photo?! It absolute nonsense.so I didn’t get the medication from a pharmacy so I sent my online bill along with a photo of my medicine cupboard and got no reply. Then I get this letter?!
I’m annoyed that I am following government guidelines to keep my son off school when he has apparent covid symptoms and I’m getting a police caution letter for doing so?!! If it wasn’t for covid his other times off would be within limits. This world is going mad. I also think I’m getting unfairly targeted because I asked the attendance lady to stop talking ‘at’ me on the phone and explained when someone is asking for their help and one asks a question it is common courtesy to partake in that conversation and answer that question not just go on repeat and ramble on. 10minutes of non stop rambling I got off her so no I don’t think I’m liked 😳

OP posts:
Managingteens · 11/04/2022 11:19

I’d like to add it wasn’t that long ago when I’d sent my son to school and got a phone call saying he had to be picked up immediately because he’d been sitting beside a covid positive person and had to be sent home to isolate even though he was absolutely well and tested negative.
They wouldn’t let him leave the school unless I picked him up and as he wasn’t allowed to be on a bus or get in a taxi I had to hire a car to get get him home. So not only did I have to pay for car hire but lost a days pay at work. Yes this is all one major fuck up from end to end and it just keeps on going. One nonsensical Rule after another!

OP posts:
user1471443411 · 11/04/2022 14:50

It's unbelievable that schools are acting like this after all the disruption of the last two years. I was expecting my daughter's attendance to be pretty bad as she has had many covid related absences but never had confirmed covid - she got a 100% attendance certificate last week, so it obviously isn't a nationwide policy.
If this attendance lady is connected to the school, I would be looking to change schools, depending on your son's age and other factors - they don't sound very understanding at all.

Rogue1001MNer · 11/04/2022 22:32

Schools had no choice regarding covid. We had government directives which were ever changing. There was no option but to comply.

If your son was sent home, he should have been set work online. If he wasn't, the school was at fault.
If he was, did he complete it?

I asked you before, what's his attendance been like in the last 3 - 5 years? What was his engagement like during lockdown?
You haven't answered yer.....?

Rogue1001MNer · 11/04/2022 22:32

Yer = yet

Walkingalot · 19/04/2022 02:35

I got the the horrible attendance letter. My DC was at 95% and they want 100%, naturally.
I rang my Dr's and explained. I had to email them explaining everything. I got a brilliant letter back explaining my son's reasons for being off sick and the way it was worded wasn't for a one-off incident.
I've later learn from other Mum's that it's quite common (the letters) and most ignore them. I'm a bit pro-active though. I don't like threats!

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