The International Schools Review Forum

Is it a normal practice for the schools to ask about your medical history for major disease and attendance record during the application? There was one school asked to fill a form claiming for child production purpose, but I don’t understand why they want or should know inquiry about once previous disease if no longer current. Any experience sharing/ advice on that? Thanks.

I've answered the questions you have been asked on numerous occasions. If the questions are legal and ethical - that really depends on the country which it is occurring. I do see that some schools don't want to employ people who take a lot of time off - but I also see the privacy element as well.

I'm sure that others will have more to say on the topic than I.

Questions about medical issues may be because the school is located in a country with poor/zero medical care or a lack of care options for certain conditions. I would not be put off about that.

However, asking for an attendance record would be a red flag for me. This just screams "we won't treat you like a professional" and micromanagement hell. Is this school going to make you scan in with fingerprints on entry & exit too? No thanks...

Its common for an IS to ask a general question of basic form indicating your level of health, which you can complete with a statement or response such as no notable health issues. Some ISs are in regions with very limited health care and facilities too which they may have a more extensive health form.

Attendance is another issue entirely, its more common in BSs but I concur with @buffalofan that it would be a major warning indicator.

For attendance, if it is a red flag, it will often be put in your confidential reference. If it is for a legitimate purpose (surgery and recuperation was needed) then it won't even be mentioned.