School appeals, term-time leave, school records and ALN in Wales

For a parent in England, Wales or Scotland 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 authorised absence for illness. It does not describe the illness. In England statutory guidance says schools should not routinely ask for medical evidence. Handed in or emailed. Sold blank, to complete by hand, as it holds health data DocMuse does not collect.

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.

For a parent in Wales whose child has been refused a place at a school they applied for, at the usual starting age or during the school year. An appeal under section 94 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the Welsh admission appeals regulations of 2005 and the Welsh Government's School Admission Appeals Code, to the clerk of the independent appeal panel: it identifies the decision, sets out your grounds, asks for the place and for the hearing papers in good time. Posted first class by the deadline in the decision letter.

For a parent in Wales who needs their child to miss school days in term time. A request to the head teacher under the Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010: it gives the dates and the day of return, explains the reason, and asks for a written decision before the leave starts. The school decides each request on its merits and may allow up to ten school days a year for a holiday; absence it does not authorise can lead to a £60 penalty notice from the council, £120 if paid after 28 days. Sent by email or handed in well in advance, in English or in Welsh.

For a parent in Wales who wants to see, or have a copy of, their child's educational record held by a maintained school. A request to the head teacher under regulation 5 of the Pupil Information (Wales) Regulations 2011: the record must be made available to you free, and a copy given at no more than the cost of supply, within 15 school days of your written request. It also asks for any other personal data under the UK GDPR. Sent by email or handed in at the school office; you may write in Welsh.

For a parent in Wales who thinks their child has additional learning needs. A request to the child's maintained school under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales: it asks the school to decide whether the child has additional learning needs and, if so, to prepare an individual development plan (IDP), normally within 35 school days, and asks how to seek a reconsideration if the answer is no. Sent by email to the ALNCo. Sold blank, to complete by hand, as it holds a child's health data.