Unauthorised Absence At School Due To Parents Illness

[maddymadge]

Hi

My child does miss school a lot due to chronic illness he s got. His dad is agoraphobic and cant leave the house and I just had an operation so I cant drive my son to school for two weeks. I don't live in the catchment area so the local authority wont help me. I don't know anybody to take him to school. The school said it will be unauthorised as it s my duty to take my child to school and I ll be probably fined. I find this unfair as I m not going on holiday, I had an operation. Is there a way of defending myself?
Thanks

Maddy

[pixie373]

If you've spoken to the school and explained and they won't authorise it, probably not. Is he old enough for public transport or taxi? Any local family or friends or his friends' parents who could help you out?

[boxtops]

I sympathise with your predicament - the taxi might be the best option, or are there any other children from that school whose parents might offer him a lift? How old is your boy - and if you don't mind saying, what illness does he have himself, presumably the school know about it>

[factor-fiction]

How old is the child please, Maddy?

[douglas9401]

You seem to be a victim of 'rules is rules'. You have my sympathies.

[maddymadge]

Hi, thanks for your replies. My boy is seven and he suffers from chronic constipation, which means he either does nothing for weeks or he leaks like mad and has stomach cramps due to high dose of medication. He is planned to be hospitalised in January. We live six miles away from the school and the bus stop is at twenty minutes walk, which I cant do in crutches at the moment. I cant afford a taxi at more than £30 a day as I wouldn't leave him on his own in a taxi. I phoned the two councils who both refuse to help. The head applied for me to get a taxi but it has been refused too. She said it will be unauthorised as it s my responsibility to take my son to school. I don't know anybody in the area who could take him and nobody want to travel an extra twelve miles. I feel under so much pressure to recover from the operation but I don't want to put us at risks. I find this unfair as this is not a holiday, it is medical.

[sherrardk]

Could you come to an agreement with the school whereby you 'home school' him until you are fit and well (with the agreement that his place is held for him at his primary school)?

[pixie373]

It's a very difficult situation, although i can also see it's not ideal for him to miss more school either. They would authorise it though, if you rang and said that he was ill?

[Kassee]

Speak to your doctor (say it is making you ill), education authority, priest/vicar if you have one to fight on your behalf.

Ask head teacher to find out if there is anyone nearby who has a child at same school and can take your child back and forth, I would think at a small friendly school, a note could be sent out to parents asking for help, office staff must know if there is any parent near you who drives each day. How old is your son anyway ?

[anneasquith]

in your position I would contact social work department ( childrens services) the school are being very unreasonable. good luck

[maddymadge]

I considered the home schooling but by the time he ll be set up, he ll be back at school. No parents live nearby as we moved from the catchment area six months ago but we thought we d find something back over there. I feel a bit cross that there s nothing available to take children to school but then they want to fine you for this. Who decides about the fine? I ve read it can be between £50-1000? Phoning ill will not be appropriate, they will ask for a certificate. Hmm, very stressful. Hopefully I ll be back on my feet soon.

[sherrardk]

Take the fine, it's not ideal but it is your only viable option - just remember to pay it promptly or it will double.

[pixie373]

A taxi is cheaper than a fine, then.

[boxtops]

How much, sher? I heard £50 a day, can that be right?

[sherrardk]

The taxi is £30 a day. Not ideal, but take the fine. Hope you feel better soon, x

[sherrardk]

I think the fine is £50 in total (been looking at going on holiday with our lot).

[boxtops]

I got that here http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour/attendance/a00208166/penalty-notices

In which case it would be cheaper for maddy to pay the £30 taxi fare, but I too wouldn't want to leave a 7-year-old in a taxi. Different if it's a school run taxi.

[pixie373]

I just found £1000 looking it up, or £50 a day.

[sherrardk]

I've also seem £60 for ten days.

[sherrardk]

It seems very unfair that maddymadge has a very real reason for not being able to get her son to school, not much give and take going on.

[anneasquith]

not everyone has that amount of money. this family/child need assistance to get the child to school.