School Holidays Help

cte1111

Compulsory school age begins at the start of the term following a child's fifth birthday.

So your daughter's compulsory education started this week by the looks of it! Not sure what the implication of this is really. I'd just tell the school that you don't have any more paperwork to show them and see what happens. Mention that you are surprised they are asking, given that your child's only just turned 5 and see if that helps maybe.

bellaboo86

What is your daughter's attendance? The aim is for children not to dip below 95%. If you are entering the 70/80% area then the school will most likely pass it on to education welfare. If you are in the 90s, then really they are being unreasonable.

ps124

Ok thanks. Isn't the only requirement to provide a medical certificate covering your child's absence? I have provided the medical certificate, hospital reports and discharge details and the details of the follow up appointments. Why do I need to provide them with an airplane ticket?

ps124

Since September, she has missed either 3 or 4 days of school with sickness. So not sure how to work it out. Otherwise her attendance is good. The previous year in nursery (Same school) it was well above 95%.

Guest101

Well don't.


I think you're playing this wrong, negotiating from a position of weakness.




I'd be saying that clearly you had no intention of your daughter falling ill and her health is your priority at this time.


The absence is clearly as a result of illness and you've provided evidence for this.

ps124

Hi Thanks for all the advice gues101 and others. I think you have a point guest101. I am a little nervous about this education officer being notified.

My only concern is I don't want me daughter to lose her place in the school. What does an education officer do? Should I contact him/her direct and explain?

iammumtoone

For future reference you do not need to supply a 'sick' note for children especially for only 1 week, you should have just rang and said she was ill, no need to explain more.

However you are where you are. I would just say yes you had every intention of returning before school started but you haven't kept evidence of this as you had had more pressing matters to attend to ie your daughter being taken ill abroad and needing to sort out new flights / insurance etc for everyone.

If the very worst happens all they can do is fine you, think the going rate is £120 (£60 per child, per parent) its a lot of money but I can image that is the least of your worries at the moment.

I hope your daughter is better and home soon, you really don't need this as well especially for a child that has only just turned 5!

Guest101

ps124 wrote: »

Hi Thanks for all the advice gues101 and others. I think you have a point guest101. I am a little nervous about this education officer being notified.

My only concern is I don't want me daughter to lose her place in the school. What does an education officer do? Should I contact him/her direct and explain?

Oh crikey no. It's to issue you with a £60 tax invoice (aka a penalty notice)

thorsoak

Your young son has stayed abroad with your wife whilst you returned home - so where is your sick daughter?

ps124

Thanks all for the replies.

Yes my daughter, wife and son are still abroad (staying with my in laws).

So I had a scheduled meeting with the head teacher this afternoon to discuss my daughter's absence and my frustrations of dealing with the school admin staff. Here's what has been requested of me:

1. On one or two of the hospital reports the nurse(s) have spelt my daughter name slightly wrong. The headteacher asked me to have all these corrected and re-sent so there is no ambiguity and that the school can verify it is correct
2. Provide any pictures I have of my daughter in hospital as proof that is to be submitted to the education officer :think:
3. The hospital invoices too so they can also be submitted to the education officer

Basically all the evidence I have to prove my daughter was in fact admitted to hospital and that is the reason why she has not returned to school. They did not request any flight details or tickets.

Confused...I asked why I need to provide the invoices and pictures seeing as I have already provided enough evidence.

Apparently, any unauthorised absence from school for a significant amount of time needs to be reported to the education welfare officer (the earlier the better) and especially as the fact is she is abroad, not in the UK under the care of a GP or UK based hospital. The school has a duty to ensure the welfare of the child - she is not in any sort of danger and that she will be returning to school safe and well as soon as possible - which is why I am being asked to provide this information.

If they want to ensure the welfare of the child and that is there only motive, then I have no problems with that...in fact, it's pleasing to hear.

But would I still be expecting some sort of fine or further questions from the education welfare officer?