For me it was always: if I had a temperature or was actually being sick, I could definitely stay home. If it was a headache or similar, and I managed to persuade mum it was genuine, then it was a case of staying home, in bed, thick bedroom curtains closed, no lights, no books, no tv, no computer games, and mum would check on me every hour to see if I needed more water or to bring me my sandwiches - no getting out of bed allowed. If I claimed an awful bellyache, then it was the same thing but no food for 24 hours. Meant I rarely if ever tried it on, but that when I was really ill, I had the best chance of fast recovery. I don't get it when "off sick" equates to "extra day of Weekend to play games and go out and have fun".