We have had a new directive from the Isle of Wight Local Authority clarifying the help we are allowed to give to families in relation to remote learning if you are choosing to keep their child at home. We are a maintained local special school and have a duty to follow the guidance of the Local Authority in line with all other maintained schools where you may send our student’s siblings.
We are only allowed to support with teaching and learning for those students who are self-isolating due to Covid:
- Self-isolating due to showing symptoms / taking a test/ awaiting results
- Self-isolating because bubble has been closed at school
- Self-isolating as instructed by track & trace / 119/ GP/Consultant
- Self-isolating following a holiday abroad
In the cases above, work would be sent home and these absences would be coded as an authorised absence
We are unable to condone students staying at home due to own or family / parent anxiety and therefore cannot send work home. All absence of this kind will be unauthorised. We of course however support any young person back into school and work hard to allay any fears.
A medical letter stating that a young person is not fit to attend school will be required to authorise any absence which is long term, preferably from a paediatrician but could be from a GP. Whilst we can empathise with those who are keeping students off due to anxiety around life-limiting conditions or illness we are unable to authorise absence without the medical evidence. This could result in intervention from the Education and Inclusion Team if your child’s absence is unauthorised over time.
Apologies for the short notice information.
Sue Holman