Daughter College Trip Discrimination

[Dolly0710]

Hi all my 17 year old Daughter suffers terribly with endometriosis already one lap in. She’s currently been studying A levels at college and they have been very understanding, said not to worry about her attendance, to get in when she is able too and work from home, which she has been, giving it her all and her tutors are amazed at her grades. She is on Student support plan and everything was fine until today…. A criminology trip had come up for October and she really wanted to go on it, it said subject to attendance so I called them and spoke to the head of criminology who said she wouldn’t be penalised due to her medical condition, however I’ve been sent an email this afternoon saying because of her attendance she is not able to go 😞I rang up to query this and was told the decision had come from higher up and they feel it’s best she doesn’t have anymore time away from the classroom even though these trips are part of the college experience and are course related, she’s not behind in any of her subjects and is already feeling low all the time because of this debilitating condition, she needed this for her mental health. Now this has all been taken away, they are punishing and discriminating her through no fault of her own, I’m heartbroken for her and worry this will just make matters worse, why isn’t this terrible condition taken seriously? I’ve sent a lengthy email this evening asking for a reconsideration based on the facts, if they don’t reconsider is there anything else I can do?💔😭 xxx

[bluebug]

Sorry about your horrible situation.

One of the things you and your daughter need to do with her college is to stop calling it it a "medical condition" and stating clearly to them it is a "disability". The Equality Act would then cover her.

This describes what a disability is -

gov.uk/definition-of-disabi...

[brontec]

hi

This is not ok. I was a senior leader in a college / head of student support and this was not something we would have done.

Call to speak to the Principal and speak directly with them. This is discriminatory and not in line with any college equality and diversity policy.

If you need any help, let me know which college and I can check their policies.

[Sunset-lady]

I'm in education and that's not right. Go in and see them. Ask for a meeting with head of post 16. There is currently a huge government push on attendance, but your daughter has exceptional circumstances. Sometimes things fall between the cracks in education. Stay calm and ask to meet them. They will recognise that they got this wrong. X

[Washington1]

If they don't change their minds I would book to see your local MP immediately and ask them for help. Well done to your daughter for getting such good grades. I hope this resolves easily and quickly for you.

[KezMurr]

This is definitely discrimination. Firstly, I would call citizens advice. They will help you with quoting laws and what information you need to include in a formal complaint. Write down everything in an email or on a word document attached in an email so there is a paper trail. Look at the website I link below re discrimination in education, for helpful tips on what outcomes you are seeking for your daughter etc, and what to do if a formal complaint doesn't work. Don't let them get away with this. From my vast experience of the school system, the minute they are accused of discrimination, they completely backtrack.

citizensadvice.org.uk/famil...

[Dolly0710]

Hi All thanks so much for all your help and advice so far, the head of trips is still saying no so we’ve asked for a meeting with the Principal. The attendance needed for a trip is 95% so allows alittle for common illness (although not by much) and no allowances for absences through disabilities/medical conditions. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated, I’m absolutely disgusted, my Daughter will need an absolute miracle to get near this currently at around 60%. Thank you again for all your help. 💛