Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that disabled children are not prevented from participating in school trips and other activities as a result of having medical appointments classified as absences.

We know how important it is that children with medical conditions are supported to enjoy a full education. That is why we introduced a new duty to require governing bodies to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions and have provided statutory guidance outlining schools’ responsibilities in this area.

In meeting this duty, governing bodies should ensure that the arrangements in their school are clear and unambiguous about the need to actively support pupils with medical conditions to participate in school trips and visits, or in sporting activities, and not prevent them from doing so.

The guidance also makes clear that it is not generally acceptable practice to penalise children for their attendance record if their absences are related to their medical condition, such as hospital appointments.

We continue to work with Ofsted, and organisations such as the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance who have experience in supporting children with medical conditions, to help raise awareness of the duty.