Absences from school

[Rachelf22]

Hi, my daughter has refractive oesophilic asthma and has recently started on biological injections, which have not showed much improvement as yet, but as a result she has had some time off school. I have had difficulties in the past but once a health plan was in place it settled down- however I have just received another letter from the school threatening prosecution despite their knowledge of her chronic condition. I wanted to know if anyone else has had simular experiences, as it is just adding to the stress of having a child who is very unwell. Any suggestions, shared experiences would be great. Thank you. Rachel

[Tugun]

Hi Rachelf22,

I'm not sure why they would threaten prosecution unless it is a formulaic letter which they need to send once a certain amount of time is lost.

However here are some suggestions:-

I've learnt from my friend - Go to the Top.

Either make an appointment with the principal - not the teacher. The teacher is welcome but you need to speak with the principal.

First get a doctor's letter detailing the condition and how there are times when it is better and times when it is worse. Ask the doctor to let them know that going out in the cold air to school and even walking any length of time is a problem for her at this time. Severe asthma is tiring and asthmatics need to concentrate on breathing not sitting at a desk and being at school. That letter will go a long way to helping you demonstrate to the principal the need for your daughter to stay at home until her condition is more stable. Get copies of the letter (or the Principal can). The Principal can then give this to the powers that be. The Education Department can't refute a medical doctor.

The school is probably concerned about the amount of learning time lost. Usually teachers are asked to give information to parents concerning lessons which can be done at home. Ask for information or work sheets so that you can help your child learn at home. Make sure they realize that because of the asthma and her difficulty breathing that she will only be able to do a minimum amount - not a normal day's work.

I believe that will work but if it doesn't - Go to the Top again. This time the local member.

Not sure how it is in England. In Australia we have Federal/ State and Local. Education in Australia is State so in Australia, I would go to the local State Member.

Let them know the situation and ask them to intercede with the Principal of the school. Having a doctor's letter backing you up will prove extremely beneficial.

Wishing your daughter a quick recovery.

[Itswonderful]

contact GP / Consultant and ask for a sick note for your daughter. Make copies of it. Take one copy into school and ask to speak to the Head. Contact your local educational welfare officer and have a conversation with them and give a copy to them. The school can send work home but they are reluctant to because children are generally better off in school. There are exceptions and if your daughter’s doctor say she cannot go to school then they might. Good luck.

[Gareth57]

I would add that in addition to the other suggestions, you make the school aware that having someone with breathing difficulties in the school would be both a distraction for other students, taking up teacher time and effecting learning for the whole class and also a potential health and safety issue for the school should there need to be an evacuation, be that a drill or for real.

[Homely2 Administrator]

I personally would put the onus on the school as much as possible.

So find out if the school are serious about their letter, if they are, get a letter from the doctor setting out your child's needs, then ask the Head what adaptations the school can make to make it easier for your child to attend school when their asthma is acting up.

I presume your child needs an environment free of whatever triggers their asthma, and the opportunity on occasions to be quiet for a while away from the hurly burly of school. So can the school provide that environment.

I was chronically ill at school for a couple of years, and the school could not adapt to my need for quiet. So my mother agreed with them that I would only go to school in the mornings. It worked very well. However the school had to suggest this, so this made it their plan.

The school has a duty to provide your child with a safe environment to learn. How do they intend to do this and can they put their plan in writing.

If you feel unsure dealing with the school take a friend, but there is a chance the school letter is just a mistake, so find this out first.

[Troilus]

Hi Rachel

As others have said, contact the headteacher. School registers now are part of an attendance check system. For example, at my old school, once registers closed any child who was absent got a call asking why, but it was not the school that made the call. Likewise, letters were sent out once a certain number of days absent had been recorded. It’s all designed to improve attendance figures - one of the things OFSTED measure on their inspections alongside action the school takes to enforce the attendance policy. ( I can remember having a child in my class who had become I’ll during the school day and asking the secretary to ring and get mum or someone to come and take her home- she refused explaining that this would result in a prosecution letter being sent out.).

You say your child has a health plan. Was the school nurse involved in that? Is the medical officer involved? Apart from what action should be taken in school should your child experience an asthma attack, does that include anything about the provision of work to do at home? As a teacher I very often was asked to supply a programme of work for children on long term absence.