Mum warned over ill son's Pope visit

A mum who is taking her sick son to be blessed by the Pope has been sent a truancy warning by his school.

Louise Brown's six-year-old boy, Travis Yates, has been suffering from leukaemia for three-and-a-half years and last week discovered he was in remission from the disease.

He has now been given a once-in-a-life time chance to visit the Vatican and meet Pope Benedict XVI.

However, when Ms Brown asked to withdraw him from St Botolph's Primary School, Shepshed, during term time she was sent a truancy advice leaflet and a copy of his attendance record.

The school has since apologised, but said it was only following Government guidance.

Ms Brown, 30, of Cumbrian Way, Shepshed, said she was upset to get the truancy note.

She said: "They decided to let Travis go, but I don't think there was any need to send that leaflet and a copy of his attendance record.

"It was a bit of a slap in the face because of all we have been through. The school is normally great about Travis and understands his needs, but it got this wrong. We are grateful he can go, but it has not been handled very sensitively."

The school sent Ms Brown a Department of Children, Schools and Families leaflet entitled "Is your child missing out?"

It contains a warning that parents can be fined £2,500 or imprisoned for failing to ensure their child attends school regularly and that children who do not attend school regularly may be drawn into crime and anti-social behaviour.

A letter from head teacher Christine Price said it was not policy to set or mark work for pupils who take holiday in term time.

Ms Brown said she thought it was insensitive given Travis had 144 authorised absences from school between August 26 and March 1, all linked to his illness.

Ms Brown and Travis's dad, Wayne Yates, received the letter from the school the day before he got the test results which showed he was in remission.

Ms Brown said: "We are relieved, but it's still important we go to Rome."

A statement released by the school said: "We are aware of Travis's illness and have given permission for him to travel to Rome during term-time."

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We tell schools it is good practice to send out truancy literature with letters asking for authorised absence, but they are under no obligation."