Protect families from being penalised for acting responsibly during illness.
We want the Government to change school attendance laws and guidance so parents are not fined for keeping children off school due to contagious illness, and to require schools to prioritise protecting vulnerable pupils.
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
- 27 APR 2026Petition rejectedalready-happening
Statutory guidance on school attendance and absence already states that students can miss school if they are too ill to attend that day and that schools should not penalise parents during this scenario.
- 30 MAR 2026Petition created
Background
My daughter is one of many children who need extra protection because of her immune system. For families like ours, something as common as a cold or flu can be serious.
Right now, parents can feel pressured to send unwell children into school to avoid fines. That puts vulnerable children at real risk.
No parent should have to choose between doing the right thing for public health and facing a penalty.