0844 numbers and schools

MadMat

My Son moved to secondary school last year, and I'm very unhappy that the only way to contact the school is Via an 0844 number.

Further the School rules insist that I HAVE to dial this number to report an absences - and sickness etc that is not reported via this number will result in him being marked as truant. Cost over a quid on my wife's mobile this morning - she dialed it without realising the cost. More I have to dial it every day he is off, I can't leave a message saying he'll be off for the next three days or whatever, they insist on a premium rate call for each day of sickness.

I've asked for a geographical number which would be free on both my home and mobile phones, but they refuse to provide one.

Are schools allowed to force us to dial what is effectively a premium rate number?

Mat

newbutold

It's the same at my doctors, costs a fortune to make an appointment especially when you can be queuing/holding for up to 20 minutes at a time.

I don't know if schools have to give an alternate number. However I would be telling them if they don't provide one you will be notifying them that your child is sick by way of a note upon his return.

If you don't phone in, do they not call you to see why the child's not in school, my child's high school does. You could maybe inform them at his point.

MadMat

No, I tried not calling to see if they would call me, I got a text telling me he wasn't in school and giving me the absence reporting number . . . .

Mat

Cypherite

I'm pretty sure you could find a general number on the school website? Failing that, you could email? At least that way you can prove that you made reasonable attempt to contact them.

Personally I totally agree with what you're saying! It's wrong to expect people to be able to call 0844 numbers.

Can you confirm whether it's an 0844 number that you call to leave a message? And there's an option to speak to the school?

vax2002

It will divert to a normal landline and they get a cut of the money.
If you look in the phone book, they have to use the real number.
On the absence raise the issue with the head and then the local press.
These people need to be dragged in to public view.

WestonDave

Interesting one from the schools perspective, because truancy probably hits them harder in terms of their stats, than it would hit you! The worst they can do is report you to the education welfare officer, who will come round, at which point you can make your point to them about the expensive phone calls.

MadMat

Cypherite wrote: »

Can you confirm whether it's an 0844 number that you call to leave a message? And there's an option to speak to the school?

Yes it's on 0844 number - I've looked up the number on saynoto0870 but nothing is listed.

This number is the only number they give out, and has options to talk to the school office or leave a message. the only geographical number on the schools website goes to the local council admissions office - I tried that too

Mat

Owain_Moneysaver

Reverse the charges.

If they don't accept the call that's their problem.

Or phone the council chief exec's office and tell him/her your child is absent and let him deal with it.

newbutold

I would try phoning the local education office & see if they have a local number on file for the school.

notbritishgas

I think a letter to the Education Minister Michael Gove is warranted here.
Although you may want to ring him when your child is ill.

MadMat

Well he's still of sick today, so I've emailed rather than called, lets see what happens

Mat