School appeals, school records, absence and special educational needs in Northern Ireland

For a parent in Northern Ireland who needs their child to miss school days in term time — a family wedding or funeral abroad, a serious illness in the family, a parent's leave from the forces. A request to the principal: it gives the dates and the day of return, explains the circumstances you believe are exceptional and asks for a written decision before the absence. The Department of Education's guidance lets a principal authorise term-time absence only in exceptional circumstances and no longer has a code for an agreed family holiday. Sent by email or handed in well in advance.

For a parent in Northern Ireland who believes their child has, or may have, special educational needs the school cannot meet from its own resources. A request to the Education Authority for a statutory assessment, the step towards a statement of special educational needs: it sets out your reasons and evidence, asks for the decision within the time limits that apply, and asks for reasons and your appeal rights if the Authority refuses. Posted first class; the Education Authority also has a free online form. Sold blank, as it holds a child's health data.

For a parent in Northern Ireland whose child has been off school ill and whose school asks for a note. A short letter to the school giving the dates of the absence and the day you first told the school, and asking for it to be recorded as an absence because of illness. It does not describe the illness; if the school wants evidence, its attendance policy says what. Handed in or emailed. Sold blank, to complete by hand, as it holds health data DocMuse does not collect.

For a parent in Northern Ireland who wants to see, or have a copy of, their child's educational record held by a school. A request to the principal under the Northern Ireland pupil records regulations of 2007: a grant-aided school must make the record available within 15 school days of a written request, and any charge for a copy may not exceed the cost of supply. For a school the regulations do not cover, the letter asks for the same information under the UK GDPR instead. Sent by email or handed in at the school office.

For a parent in Northern Ireland whose child has been refused a place at a primary or post-primary school they applied for. An appeal against the Board of Governors' decision to the independent admissions appeal tribunal the Education Authority sets up: it names the decision and sets out why the school's published admissions criteria were not applied, or not applied correctly — the question the tribunal decides. Lodge it by the deadline in the Education Authority's letter, through EA Connect, on its paper form or as this letter, posted first class with the decision letter.

For a parent anywhere in the UK who wants a grandparent, a childminder, a friend or another adult to collect their child from school. A signed letter to the school naming each person allowed to collect the child, when the authorisation applies, and how they will prove who they are, which stays in force until you withdraw it in writing. Handed in at the school office. Many schools have their own collection form or app; use it first if yours does.