School requesting letter

croyland87

Hi my child has a Diagnoses and a Special Educational Needs Statement he has to attend hospital appointments to see the pediatrics.Now the school first said that we need to see the appointment letter which I said fine 5 months later now my child's class teacher says that they need a copy of it I have said to her that its private and confidential and she said that's ok I will let reception no but the next day in the morning shes demanding it again.

I need some advice please can can the school demand it because I am not happy to provide it because that letter is there for the courtesy of parents not the school.

Thank You

claire16c

Why don't you just give them a copy of a letter? Presumably it's so your child doesn't get put down as unauthorised absences?

Which if they can now fine you for having more than a certain number wouldn't it just be easier to show them?

mummyroysof3

I've never been asked to even see the letter but wouldn't have a problem with it if asked

jog

Hi,

It is probably so that the school can evidence that he is off for genuine appointments and therefore can be put down as an authorised absence. Schools do have to show why they are authorising him being out of school, if they don't it will get put down as un-authorised and eventually could lead to involvement with the Educational Welfare Officer.

If you feel that there is confidential info on the letter that you don't want the school to know then you could either ask the consultant to provide a letter that just gives the dates and times of appointments with no other medical info on, alternatively speak to your school nurse to see if she can help. It is fairly standard practice in the area I work in for schools to need this kind of info, however I would say that they do treat this information as confidential and it is kept securely and only the people who need to know do.

marisco_2

First world problems.

I really don't understand why you are being so pedantic about handing over a copy of the letter for your son's school to keep on its records. The contents of it would only ever be seen by the members of staff who have contact with and responsibility for him. The school need it to be able to prove why they are allowing regular absence from school, required by your son so he can attend necessary medical appointments. Without it he will be marked down as having unauthorised absences, which will just lead to causing you problems you could no doubt do without. Your choice.

This letter is not there just for your courtesy, and has most likely already been copied onto all relevant people who have a role in your sons care.

tibawo

I know I get a copy of all letters for my key students in SEN. I am copied into them. However these letters can take a while to come through so we ask for a copy of the appointment letter so we can put it in the file in the meantime. Sadly everything these days needs a paper trail. I would just send one in. I would say more so as the new sen rulings come in.

One of my friends children is my key student and she finds it really bizarre she has to do this as she knows I know full well this history of her child. She still has to do it though.

I would just give them a copy but if you are really worried about it just ask them why they need it.

tea_lover

You could copy the letter then blank out anything you feel is too personal for the school to see. Just leave the parts about his appointment.

lazywife

^^ This.
Copy it, use a thick black pen to blank out any details you don't want to give, then copy it again, so nothing can be read through it. I think that it is perfectly reasonable asking for evidence of absence, but this should fulfil the criteria.x

peachyprice

croyland87 wrote: »

Hi my child has a Diagnoses and a Special Educational Needs Statement he has to attend hospital appointments to see the pediatrics.Now the school first said that we need to see the appointment letter which I said fine 5 months later now my child's class teacher says that they need a copy of it I have said to her that its private and confidential and she said that's ok I will let reception no but the next day in the morning shes demanding it again.

I need some advice please can can the school demand it because I am not happy to provide it because that letter is there for the courtesy of parents not the school.

Thank You

So you want SEN help from the school but don't want to let them have any information about the child they're trying to help?

croyland87

peachyprice wrote: »

So you want SEN help from the school but don't want to let them have any information about the child they're trying to help?

That is not the case in my are I have never heard about plus I contacted the county council and they said they should not really ask for it.

Kayalana99

croyland87 wrote: »

That is not the case in my are I have never heard about plus I contacted the county council and they said they should not really ask for it.

You've been given some great advice, make a copy and black out ANYTHING that isn't the appointment time and leave the address of the hospital / logo.

If your not willing to do that something tells me their is no letter and you want to take your child out of school for the day without paying the fine..?

How do they know your not lying? Its a perfectly reasonable request.