Docs refusing to write out sick notes for missed exams

DOCTORS have refused to write sick notes for teenagers who were ill when they took their GCSEs and A-Levels this summer.

Exam board rules state that if a student misses an exam through illness and the school cannot be certain that they were genuinely unwell they need a note from their doctor as proof.

But GPs declared that they would not support the country's "excuses culture".

There were reports that some doctors were charging £13 for issuing a certificate.

Dr Peter Holden, from the British Medical Association, said many youngsters were just "trying it on".

"We are not here to support the nation's `excuses culture'," he said.

Parents often bring their children in several days after missing an exam and demand notes claiming youngsters were ill.

"Schools send parents along saying `Little Willy was ill, can you issue a certificate?' It is rarely on the day," he said.

"Little Willy may have some diarrhoea but how do I know?

"People try it on. For every 10 little Willies that I have in wanting certificates, that's 10 people I can't see who are really sick.

"We get no end of people coming in with hayfever as a reason why they are not performing - and they just haven't done their homework."

Don't put any sun cream on your pupils

TEACHERS have been advised not to put sun cream on pupils for fear of opening themselves up to allegations of child abuse.

After the recent heatwave, which sparked warnings from health officials, the NASUWT teachers' union said children should be kept indoors during hot weather.

Chris Keates, the union's general secretary, said staff who are asked to apply suncream to children in school should tell headteachers it was not part of their job.

She told the Times Educational Supplement: "Clearly, children have to be protected but we are extremely concerned about teachers taking responsibility for applying sunscreen to children in the present climate of false allegations.

"I am not saying that teachers should not care, but it is safer for teachers to question whether children need to spend time in the sun. It seems a very simple thing but it's one that could get teachers into enormous difficulties."

Nurseries and primary schools have been advised to obtain permission from parents for teachers to apply sun cream.