Sickness Certificates for Examination and School Children

Please See Guidance Below from the British Medical Association

It should be noted that GPs do not provide sick notes for schoolchildren. 

GPs are often requested to provide short term sickness certification for periods of less than 7 days when children are absent from schools usually from parents who are misdirected by their school of the local education authority.

GPs do not provide short term sickness certification for periods of less than 7 days. The child’s school is obliged to accept a note from the pupil’s parent or guardian during this period.

GPs are unable to issue medical certificates for longer periods of sickness absence unless the patient was seen by the GP at the time of the illness. GPs are not contractually required to undertake this work and it is not part of your terms of service.

GPs can request a fee under the NHS General Medical Services Statutory Instrument, Regulation 25 a.

When children are absent from school owing to illness, schools may request a letter from a parent or guardian, and this is no different during an exam period.

However, children who have missed exams due to illness are frequently told by schools that a note from a doctor is required; but this cannot be provided by a GP. 

Aside from the fact that parents/guardians are responsible for excusing their children from school, GPs cannot provide retrospective sickness certification.

 When a child suffers from a long-term condition, any certification will be provided by the responsible specialist.

GPC has sought and received confirmation from the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator that Awarding Organisations make no requirement for pupils to obtain a medical certificate in support of their application for special consideration. 

Students are asked for information in support of their application, but this may take the form of a statement by the school. 

The Joint Council for Qualifications has confirmed that as far as they are concerned, if a student was absent from an examination as a result of illness and has the support of the school or centre to be absent, special consideration will be granted on that basis.

 Awarding organisations do not insist that medical proof is provided.

Thank you for your co-operation.