Child Day Off From School. Am I Wrong?

Child Day Off From School. Am I Wrong?

Author
Discussion

Bushi

Original Poster:

340 posts

192 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
OK, strange to be posting this on PH but really donot want to join mumsnet and people here seem to be fairly normal.

So I have a 6 year old daughter at school. 100% attendance doing really well.

She loves space, all the sciences etc.. met Chris Hadfield last week and shes really enthused about space travel, has been for a long while. 90% sure this is lead by her rather than dragged by me, ether way happy days. Loves maths, sciences, engineering...

Any way... we have the space launch on the 15th for Tim Peake, and I have tkts for us both to go to the National Space Centre and watch the launch live with an absolute bucket load of Childrens educational activities on the day to enthuse children in the stem subjects.

Applied to school for the day of and they have refused.

WTF? seems insane to me but I may be well off base.

Any views before I simply take her and feel the wrath of local councils and schools?




pincher

8,497 posts

216 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
On what grounds did they refuse your application?

I've heard of people taking their kids on holiday and it being approved as they claimed there were 'educational elements' to the holiday rolleyes

ManFromDelmonte

2,742 posts

179 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Bushi said:
People here seem to be fairly normal.
You think?

Bushi

Original Poster:

340 posts

192 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
pincher said:
On what grounds did they refuse your application?

I've heard of people taking their kids on holiday and it being approved as they claimed there were 'educational elements' to the holiday rolleyes
Email: "Thank you for your email regarding your intention to attend the upcoming National Space Centre launch, unfortunately we will not be able to authorise Childs Name absence from school that day."

jonny996

2,603 posts

216 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
This sounds like a great opportunity for her to see the workings & support that is required & not just the glamour side of it.
Unless there is a special event at the school I cant see what the issue is, do they understand that this is real thing & not Disney's interpretation of it.

Andy888

706 posts

192 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
You have to wonder sometimes really. Clearly schools are their own little empires run by people who get off on power trips over parents and kids.

Her not going to the event will be more detrimental than losing a day's education. It's not like it's a daytrip to the funfair.

Have you asked the school for a list of the work that she will miss so she can catch up? Might pacify them.

Impasse

15,099 posts

240 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
The criteria for authorised absence isn't set by the school.

djt100

1,734 posts

184 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
We have discovered that my Boys school simply automatically rejects any application for time off. Its down to stupid ofsted ratings and attendance effects the schools rating. Far easier for the child to be sick if needed.

Sheepshanks

32,530 posts

118 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Impasse said:
The criteria for authorised absence isn't set by the school.
...the law says it can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Bushi said:
pincher said:
On what grounds did they refuse your application?

I've heard of people taking their kids on holiday and it being approved as they claimed there were 'educational elements' to the holiday rolleyes
Email: "Thank you for your email regarding your intention to attend the upcoming National Space Centre launch, unfortunately we will not be able to authorise Childs Name absence from school that day."
Reply. "Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for your email, unfortunately their seems to be a miscommunication as I wasn't seeking authorisation but was in fact informing you that x would not be attending school on that day. If you wish to discuss further in person at my convenience, please let me know when is least convenient for you and I will make arrangements to attend at that time.

Kind Regards

Awesome Parent"

antspants

2,401 posts

174 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
You've done the right thing and asked.

Unfortunately she will probably be poorly that day, you know with it being mid-winter and the number of bugs doing the rounds currently, so you wouldn't have been able to go anyway (and she definitely can't go to school and spread her bugs around just before xmas) wink


Sheepshanks

32,530 posts

118 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Foliage said:
Reply. "Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for your email, unfortunately their seems to be a miscommunication as I wasn't seeking authorisation but was in fact informing you that x would not be attending school on that day. If you wish to discuss further in person at my convenience, please let me know when is least convenient for you and I will make arrangements to attend at that time.

Kind Regards

Awesome Parent"
Don't do this if the school is fully subscribed!

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

pc.iow

1,879 posts

202 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Search for Jon platt Isle of Wight, he has won a legal battle over here as he took his kids on holiday. They have since gone on to appeal the decision at a cost to the island tax payers of around £10,000.
I'm on a phone so cannot post links until tonight(cos I don't know how too).
He will probably win again.

Puggit

48,355 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
pc.iow said:
Search for Jon platt Isle of Wight, he has won a legal battle over here as he took his kids on holiday. They have since gone on to appeal the decision at a cost to the island tax payers of around £10,000.
I'm on a phone so cannot post links until tonight(cos I don't know how too).
He will probably win again.
Save you Googling: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3275767/Co...

smile

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Frankly for a one off occasion with such merits I wouldn't even have asked - I'd have just claimed she had a fever or some such.

Then get found out when a school trip from the same educational establishment rocks up at the exhibition knowing my luck, hehe

silobass

1,176 posts

101 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Axionknight said:
Frankly for a one off occasion with such merits I wouldn't even have asked
This, but don't lie about being ill.

If you feel she'd benefit, just go. They won't authorise it but they probably won't worry about it either.

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
I would take her. You are her father and you can decide (according to my law of Dad). She isn't in the middle of 'A' levels is she...

Really disappointed in the school with this dictatorial attitude - its more about their stats than anything else (which isn't really their fault but it is the negative edgy climate that has been created around them due to 'failing schools').

Life is about far more than the classroom so put your daughter first and then decide what is in her best interest.

I will have this issue soon and am perfectly happy to have a chat with the headmaster about it and explain why I will be doing what I will be doing. I have a feeling his hands are tied by local government decree, but I hope common sense will prevail and that we can remain positive and respectful towards each other as school and parent. It can be just excessively all about them and the council 'fine' mentality... Braced...punch

guindilias

5,245 posts

119 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Tell them she is actually going up in the rocket, and will conduct suitable experiments on spiders, watercress growth, etc., while up there.

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all