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Secondary education

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Original poster

Concussion and GCSEs

48 replies

wordywitch · 03/05/2025 22:32

My son’s exams start next week and today he has sustained a concussion while playing football in the park with his mates. He didn’t require a trip to A&E and we are following the concussion protocol at home - no screens, dim light, rest, etc.. He is suffering short term memory loss, asking repeatedly what time it is, what happened, etc.. which isn’t unusual with this type of head injury, but I know from experience (my DD had one a few years ago and I’m a former healthcare professional) that it can take a couple weeks to recover cognitively. Clearly he’s not going to be in a position to read and study for at least the rest of the weekend and I have no idea how he’ll be for the start of his exams in a few days.

Has anyone had experience of this with their child or does anyone work in a secondary school who knows what the school can/will do if he’s not fully recovered by then? I know he doesn’t need A&E but will I need to seek medical attention for him anyway if he’s going to need a sick note on Tuesday potentially? I could wait until Tuesday and ring his GP but I’m not sure if or how soon they could see him anyway. Any advice welcome!

OP posts:
LittleLabrador · 03/05/2025 22:34

Has he seen a doctor? He sounds like he really should ASAP

reesespieces123 · 03/05/2025 22:34

FFS get him to A&E now.

Aligirlbear · 03/05/2025 22:42

Take him to A&E he is suffering classic symptoms for concussion and you have no way of knowing how serious it might be ( think possible slow bleed on the brain / swelling ) it can’t wait until Tuesday.

Original poster
wordywitch · 03/05/2025 22:45

A&E aren’t going to do anything beyond what I’m already doing. I’ve been down this road before and they don’t do a scan if they didn’t lose consciousness, didn’t vomit or have a seizure, fall from a height, etc.. I know the concussion protocol and am happy to monitor him at home for now, though I could take him to be seen at a walk in clinic tomorrow if it’s not improved. A&E would really only be appropriate if he develops any more concerning symptoms or no improvement after 24 hours.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/05/2025 22:48

You'll have absolutely zero evidence of any injury for the exam board and despite your confidence, it's perfectly possible that you are wrong and he needs immediate medical attention.

Take him to A&E.

PinkChaires · 03/05/2025 23:43

Take him A and E as evidence . You may be able to get extenuating circumstances/special consideration for him.

Bournetilly · 03/05/2025 23:45

If it’s that bad that he might not be able to sit his GCSEs you need to take him to A&E. Your diagnosis could be wrong and you will have no evidence of an injury.

ramonaqueenbee · 03/05/2025 23:49

A and E ASAP.

ScaryM0nster · 03/05/2025 23:49

He needs to go to A&E, because although you may feel competent in managing the symptoms and identifying trigger points for further investigation - the exam system won’t be able to handle that.

Any special considerations for medical grounds need medical evidence. Not ‘parent said they hit their head two weeks ago’.

Head in first thing in the morning. Go armed with a book.

nocoolnamesleft · 03/05/2025 23:51

Personally I'd CT him.

eurotravel · 03/05/2025 23:51

You’ll prob need to see gp to get proof for exam board. Feel for him. My DC are sporty and happens easily

purpleme12 · 03/05/2025 23:52

If you're right that's fine (I'm not a health professional and you are) but i also thinking same as the others, that if you're worried he might not be ok for exams next week, but you don't take him to A&E now, then there's just no evidence and only your word to go on

SuperTroopers · 03/05/2025 23:54

NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/05/2025 22:48

You'll have absolutely zero evidence of any injury for the exam board and despite your confidence, it's perfectly possible that you are wrong and he needs immediate medical attention.

Take him to A&E.

Quite.

JockyWilsonsaid · 03/05/2025 23:57

If you do not follow this up medically, it will appear that you are trying to get special dispensation for him for a non existent medical problem. Either he is unwell and requires immediate medical attention or he is not.

Hairyfairy01 · 03/05/2025 23:57

Ffs, as a HCP you should not need to be told to go to a&e, but go to a&e! I am shocked at your ignorance. He needs a CT head asap to rule out TBI. Quite frankly his GCSEs should be the least if you mr concerns atm.

Calliopespa · 03/05/2025 23:59

wordywitch · 03/05/2025 22:45

A&E aren’t going to do anything beyond what I’m already doing. I’ve been down this road before and they don’t do a scan if they didn’t lose consciousness, didn’t vomit or have a seizure, fall from a height, etc.. I know the concussion protocol and am happy to monitor him at home for now, though I could take him to be seen at a walk in clinic tomorrow if it’s not improved. A&E would really only be appropriate if he develops any more concerning symptoms or no improvement after 24 hours.

If go even just to get some more evidence op. You may need it for the exams.

Not to panic you but the not remembering what happened sounds quite bad concussion. And why can’t he tell the time? I understand headaches etc but that sounds atypical.

Id take him to be seen.

XelaM · 04/05/2025 00:11

My daughter had a concussion falling off a horse and temporarily couldn't remember where she was/what happened/what day or time it was, but this was for about 20-30mins, not beyond that and I still took her to A&E. Your son's concussion sounds more serious if the memory loss is still continuing hours after the event. I would definitely take him to A&E. Plus you will need evidence for the exam board.

Calliopespa · 04/05/2025 00:15

XelaM · 04/05/2025 00:11

My daughter had a concussion falling off a horse and temporarily couldn't remember where she was/what happened/what day or time it was, but this was for about 20-30mins, not beyond that and I still took her to A&E. Your son's concussion sounds more serious if the memory loss is still continuing hours after the event. I would definitely take him to A&E. Plus you will need evidence for the exam board.

I think Princess Anne had still not regained memory of her concussion but then wasn’t she in hospital several days? I agree: I would take him in. Even if they just say it’s fine, at least that’s reassuring.

Tiswa · 04/05/2025 00:37

take to A&E you need medical evidence and memory loss is one factor it should be looked at.

DD has had concussion twice it is awful and needs monitoring

barleycorn · 04/05/2025 07:06

EM cons here. Honestly OP I’d scan with this history. Constantly asking what happened equals 5 minutes or more of amnesia so he meets the criteria for a CT. Hopefully you’re in A&E now. Good luck.

Pricelessadvice · 04/05/2025 07:10

I had a similar concussion a couple of years ago and my headache and visual problems continued for months. My GP was very frustrated with me that I didn’t go to hospital straight away as he predicted it was a decent brain bleed to have caused the level of symptoms I had (I presented at the doctors 2 weeks later with lingering symptoms)
Think of Natasha Richardson.

LottieMary · 04/05/2025 07:17

Medical aside, you can’t just assert that something happened - JcQ does specifically mention concussion in its special circs list, and school need to submit the request but most schools would want medical evidence

DorisDear · 04/05/2025 07:22

Can't speak as a medical professional, but as a teacher I can say you'll need some evidence if you want to apply for special consideration with the exam boards, so he needs to be seen by a doctor.

Anewuser · 04/05/2025 07:24

Fantastic that your medical training has given you X-ray vision to see inside your son’s brain. However, for GCSEs you’ll need proper medical evidence.

verycloakanddaggers · 04/05/2025 07:24

You need to take him to A&E, this is s potentially serious injury and whatever happened last time is irrelevant.