Petition against council school attendance campaign
Flyers sent out by East Sussex County Council saying there is no good reason for children to miss school has been labeled “insulting”
A petition against the campaign, which tells parents to send children to school if they have colds, has received more than 6,000 signatures.
The “get a Grip” Leaflets were sent to parents whose children missed at least three days of the current school year.
They also give advice on "being more organised" the night before school.
The petition, set up by Ella Lewis of Seaford, calls for the council to withdraw the campaign and apologise "for the insulting treatment of and attitude towards parents".
It states families feel alienated and "blindly attacked" by the campaign, especially those "struggling with serious illnesses, traumas and ongoing disabilities and conditions".
The petition adds: "Of course we don't want our children to miss the curriculum, and of course we don't want teachers wasting their time catching children up instead of teaching the class, but there is nothing we can do about it."
Read moreLatest News
09/10/2025 - 09:25
The course is designed to equip governors with the knowledge and skills needed to oversee and strengthen their school’s cybersecurity practices.
09/10/2025 - 09:17
Bangor University will be establishing a centre of excellence for literacy teaching after receiving an £8 million grant.
08/10/2025 - 10:10
Nearly three-quarters of teachers (72%) say the current SEND system fails children, yet more than half (56%) expect anticipated reforms to negatively impact SEND pupils with complex needs.
08/10/2025 - 10:02
Over a quarter of all schools and colleges across England are taking part in the free National Education Nature Park programme, which sees young people create nature-rich spaces on school sites.
07/10/2025 - 09:35
Sixty-five per cent of parents and grandparents have said they felt driving should be on the school curriculum, according to a survey by Young Driver.
