Proving reasons for absence
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Re: Proving reasons for absence
mm2392, honestly, you're massively over-thinking this – and I say that as a parent of 2 DCs with chronic, long-term medical conditions whose attendance has sometimes fallen beneath the magical but entirely notional 90%.
Just send in a brief email, or a letter if the school really insist on it, and you're done. If the school wish to investigate further, let them, they will quickly discover that your DD had good reason to be off. If they really think they require a doctor's note every time, I should take the approach recommended by Hermann (which I think is excellent).
Just send in a brief email, or a letter if the school really insist on it, and you're done. If the school wish to investigate further, let them, they will quickly discover that your DD had good reason to be off. If they really think they require a doctor's note every time, I should take the approach recommended by Hermann (which I think is excellent).
Re: Proving reasons for absence
Thanks for the comments, interesting comment on the doctor's forum, as that is exactly what they have requested. The annoying thing is that after both her pneumonia related absences, I had a discussion with the head, her teachers and the admin lady regarding medicines etc..i.e. had them administered in school so she could return quicker!
Her absences have always been well discussed, and at the last PTM a few weeks ago, I was told she was well ahead in class, (has progressed really well this term, already working on Level 2 for her reading and in top set of 3 kids for maths) so no problems there to prompt a referral!
The HT asked if I could get a letter from her doctor, explaining the reasons for her numerous illnesses, as she falls outside the norm of what would generally expected. When I replied that this is why she regularly sees a paediatric specialist, and so far not even they have been able to give us any real answers, she curtly replied, that's fine, they can explain that too.. I do think it's a strange request...it's not enough to have well documented reasons for her absence...which they do..she wants a medical explanation on top.
Meanwhile, the mums who have taken their kids out for last week of term so they could visit relatives, have had no requests for copies of airline tickets or 'proof' that grandma lives abroad. Which by the way, DD's does too, 24 hours away..only we only ever take our holiday in term time.
I know it probably seems I am a little too ruffled on this one...but it's the annoying disparity on principle that bothers me the most. And by the sounds of it..HT will have to request her letter herself!
Her absences have always been well discussed, and at the last PTM a few weeks ago, I was told she was well ahead in class, (has progressed really well this term, already working on Level 2 for her reading and in top set of 3 kids for maths) so no problems there to prompt a referral!
The HT asked if I could get a letter from her doctor, explaining the reasons for her numerous illnesses, as she falls outside the norm of what would generally expected. When I replied that this is why she regularly sees a paediatric specialist, and so far not even they have been able to give us any real answers, she curtly replied, that's fine, they can explain that too.. I do think it's a strange request...it's not enough to have well documented reasons for her absence...which they do..she wants a medical explanation on top.
Meanwhile, the mums who have taken their kids out for last week of term so they could visit relatives, have had no requests for copies of airline tickets or 'proof' that grandma lives abroad. Which by the way, DD's does too, 24 hours away..only we only ever take our holiday in term time.
I know it probably seems I am a little too ruffled on this one...but it's the annoying disparity on principle that bothers me the most. And by the sounds of it..HT will have to request her letter herself!
Re: Proving reasons for absence
I know I am...I get my teeth on the bone on won't let go...and I'm sure you too understand the many frustrations multiple absences can cause. But aside from the many discussions we have had at school, every single episode of illness, has been documented by an email explaining the reasons for her absence from the first day...and in fact her end of year Reception report had a note included by the old HT referencing the reason for her low attendance last year. Yes I am over-thinking this, but I do think the current HT has gone a little OTT with her request, which from what I hear, is by no means the norm.Rob Clark wrote:mm2392, honestly, you're massively over-thinking this
Thanks all for your comments..time to vacate the soapbox
ps..don't get me started on those special class awards for just 'turning up' ...then I really would have a big bone to chew
Re: Proving reasons for absence
I'll do that one for you...
Totally stupid idea to encourage children to come in to school with bad colds, temperature, v&d etc just so they get their attendance certificate at the end of term. Meanwhile the rest of the class and often the teacher as well end up needing time off...
As to the request for an explanation from the doctor about the repeated illness. Maybe its actually a good plan if by getting it on record that means there is less need for detailed explanation going forward?
Regarding the time off to see grandparents. I'm surprised that is accepted as what is now required as a reason to authorise absence. Unless a close family member is seriously ill I would have thought as you say, such visits would be expected to be confined to school holidays.
Hoping you have an illness free Christmas.
Totally stupid idea to encourage children to come in to school with bad colds, temperature, v&d etc just so they get their attendance certificate at the end of term. Meanwhile the rest of the class and often the teacher as well end up needing time off...
As to the request for an explanation from the doctor about the repeated illness. Maybe its actually a good plan if by getting it on record that means there is less need for detailed explanation going forward?
Regarding the time off to see grandparents. I'm surprised that is accepted as what is now required as a reason to authorise absence. Unless a close family member is seriously ill I would have thought as you say, such visits would be expected to be confined to school holidays.
Hoping you have an illness free Christmas.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
Is this just an infant school? Hope so. You only have another 5 terms to put up with this head. Maybe she'll pay the fee for the paediatric consultant's letter if that's what she wants.
I can see why you're annoyed, but it's just not worth it. I like Hermann's approach. You could also offer the head the opportunity to come round to the house for a cup of tea when your daughter is not well to see for herself, take photos etc.
I can see why you're annoyed, but it's just not worth it. I like Hermann's approach. You could also offer the head the opportunity to come round to the house for a cup of tea when your daughter is not well to see for herself, take photos etc.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
Spot on hermanmunster...that's exactly what her Dr has told me this afternoon.. I told her they had requested a letter due to her falling outside the normal expectation of time off for illness..and her surprised response was along the lines of, naturally she would...and they don't usually get such requests, except where there may be concerns over welfare of the child etc.. HT has to write to her direct..and for a fee, they will replyhermanmunster wrote:there is a bit of discussion on doctors' fora about this - usual answer when asked by the school to GANFYD (get a note from your doctor) is to ask that the school writes to the doctor defining exactly the information that they want with a signed consent from from the child / parent - then the report will be provided for a fee. I don't think anyone yet has had such a proper request through.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
Just wanted to pick up on the comment that "the hospital confirm your daughter's school so they can send a copy of a letter when she is discharged".
This is not the case. Schools do not get a copy of the letter as it would be a breach of confidentiality. The reason they ask for the schools name for all admissions and a and e visits these days is in case there are any safeguarding concerns. This has happened since various high profile cases highlighted the need for a joined up service between health and education if say a child went to a and e covered in unexplained bruises the school would be contacted to see if they had concerns.Although this is not related to the kind of admissions your daughter has it is mandatory to have a child's school recorder at every contact.
This is not the case. Schools do not get a copy of the letter as it would be a breach of confidentiality. The reason they ask for the schools name for all admissions and a and e visits these days is in case there are any safeguarding concerns. This has happened since various high profile cases highlighted the need for a joined up service between health and education if say a child went to a and e covered in unexplained bruises the school would be contacted to see if they had concerns.Although this is not related to the kind of admissions your daughter has it is mandatory to have a child's school recorder at every contact.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
Interesting you say that Moon unit...I too always believed that to be the case. But when she was discharged a few months back, the nurse who was arranging the discharge papers, specifically stated they would be sending a copy of the discharge note to her school so they have a copy. I thought it was strange...but then it was re-iterated with a subsequent discharge, so I assumed it must be common practice? Or maybe it was relevant to the reason for admission??..e.g. when she was treated for suspected meningococcal infection but turned out to be urosepsis..so figured they must be letting the school know in terms of allaying any concern on that front?? I've no idea, but when we queried it, the nurse seemed to imply it was routine practice!Moon unit wrote:Just wanted to pick up on the comment that "the hospital confirm your daughter's school so they can send a copy of a letter when she is discharged".
This is not the case. Schools do not get a copy of the letter as it would be a breach of confidentiality.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
That does not feel correct.
Re: Proving reasons for absence
The nurse must have mislead you. If there is a concern about a serious infectious disease such as meningitis the public health consultant is informed and takes over the management of tracing contacts and prophylaxis if necessary in the case of meningococcal disease. This would not be disseminated in a discharge summary to a school.
Poor you and your daughter to be going through all this.
The schools are under so much pressure now about absence I really feel for the parents of children who are chronically ill but please be assured that the school doesn't want to be adding to your problems this is just them having to show that they are following the procedure to the letter.Its a complete pain in the neck for responsible parents like yourself but hopefully will be a bit of a deterrent to others who do need to get their children into school more often.
Poor you and your daughter to be going through all this.
The schools are under so much pressure now about absence I really feel for the parents of children who are chronically ill but please be assured that the school doesn't want to be adding to your problems this is just them having to show that they are following the procedure to the letter.Its a complete pain in the neck for responsible parents like yourself but hopefully will be a bit of a deterrent to others who do need to get their children into school more often.
