i've received a shirty letter from school as my 4yr old has below average attendance

[peason77]

hi, i wonder if anyone has any advice. I've just received a letter from my daughter's school saying the education officer is concerned about her attendance as she is below target of 95% (84%) it's a strict school with good ofsted reports (up until now) they've just had ofsted in, and overall only gained a satisfactory result. The teachers etc seem to have a bee in their bonnet now and are clamping down on a lot of things. The thing is, they are suggesting my daughter is behind with her reading and more! (she's the youngest in her year) and i'm a single parent to only one child, i keep feeling the school is pushing her, because, compared with the other pupils (all who have mostly turned 5yrs) my little girl won't turn 5 until the end of August. I keep feeling that they're suggesting i'm failing her in some way. I try so hard with my girl, she's well behaved, well mannered and a credit to me but i feel the school is pushing, pushing, pushing. As for her attendance, she has had 2 weeks off since last Sept (on separate occasions) due to tonsillitis and ear infections, and 3 days off in between as she was running fevers with a cough. Now, i'm a nurse and i'm not stupid when it comes to health. I recognise a genuinely ill child. She's had antibiotics on both occasions. It's more of an effort for me when she is off as i have to arrange time off work. I've called the school to arrange an appt with the headteacher as i'm really mad. What do i say? and if her answers and explanations are insufficient can i complain further and if so who to? Many Thanks

[vulcan]

Unfortunately, peason targets seem to be all important these days, sometimes to the detriment of the child. My wife was a teacher and always took into consideration the age of the child when assessing them. Of course in those days children received school reports and were not part of a percentage number on a target.

[erin-x]

I think you are looking at two separate matters here. Her attendance is one thing and I am inclined to agree with you that when a child is ill, they should definitely be allowed time to recuperate.

As for the reading and writing, I agree with the teacher that age doesn't have a lot to do with it. Every child is different, meaning that they all reach milestones at different ages. I can assure you that the teacher does not "expect" your daughter to be at the same level of other children just because they are in the same class. I'm assuming that your daughter is in stage/ability appropriate groups for reading and writing so I don't know how she can be classed by her teacher as behind in the first place. As for extra support, there is not a lot that the class teacher can do apart from maybe sending work home. It would not be deemed fair if she was to spend extra time with your daughter in class above other children who may also be struggling (which I am sure there will be a few). You say you read to her every night. That is excellent!! You should ask her teacher what method they use to teach reading and writing skills, whether it be JollyPhonics, Read/Write Inc. etc... This way you would be able to research it and continue the work at home along with the fabulous story time you already do. This will build her confidence in her own ability very quickly.

And i'm sorry if my response sounds harsh but

[boxtops]

same as my nephew, peason - his birthday's 31st August!

[erin-x]

Sorry!! Hit submit too soon!

...but don't be too hard on her teacher. She is, after all, only looking out for her wellbeing, as of course are you. :)