This can't be right?! School are fining parents each time a child is late?

[Givemeallthechocolate]

One of DDs friends mums has told me today that our school has started charging parents each time if their kid is late for school.
Apparently if a child arrives after 9am the school are charging £2.50 each day.
Apparently a parent was in tears because they couldn't afford to pay it that week as they had 0.30p until the next week.

This isn't something I heard about through school channels but we have missed a fair few letters due to DD being off having had an operation a week into term, which meant missing a further 2 weeks for recovery... so this may be something I've missed,

But surely this isn't right, or legal?

[BlackBanana]

I'd tell them to go fuck themselves.

They've no right and no ability to enforce.

[ChelleDawg2020]

I don't know the legality of it, but it actually sounds like a good idea. The parent who only has 30p should just talk to the school, explain their situation and ask for time to pay.

Many people who work are docked pay if they are late. My previous job deducted pay rounded up to the nearest quarter of an hour, and you weren't allowed to make the time up later. Sometimes I'd be let down by the bus but I had to chalk that up to experience.

[Appuskidu]

Sounds like a load of bollocks to me. If you ring them school and they say it was true though-do come back and tell us!

[Nquartz]

But surely children turning up late is disruptive to the rest of the class? I think as a one off it is extreme but might help deter repeat offenders

[kaytee87]

Many people who work are docked pay if they are late. My previous job deducted pay rounded up to the nearest quarter of an hour, and you weren't allowed to make the time up later. Sometimes I'd be let down by the bus but I had to chalk that up to experience.

They’re not going to work though are they?

Op it sounds like it’s bollocks tbh. I don’t see how that’s enforceable.

[Inebriatededna]

Sounds like a good idea to me , I’m sure they wouldn’t impose it for a one off but there are parents who make no effort to get their kids to school on time and persistently roll up whenever it suits them.

[leccybill]

What happens if you don't pay?

[Givemeallthechocolate]

I'm going to have to go to the school and ask if it's true aren't i!

It seems fairly extreme, and if I were handed a fine for lateness I'm not sure if I would laugh or be rather upset.

[BackforGood]

Sounds very unlikely to me - how are they going to pay that?

When I taught at a school where many of the families lived very chaotic lives, we always emphasised that is was important to bring the dc in every day, however late they got up. If you were a family with 3 dc, and running a bit late, if you actually though this was something the school were gong to impose, you'd just keep them home - how would that help anyone ?

[MrsPear]

If your kids are repeatly late at my boys primary you have to visit welfare - the school has a family worker. I would rather pay a fine than see that nosy cow.

[Givemeallthechocolate]

Backforgood- my thoughts exactly.

[Thesmallthings]

They can't in force it so if it was true id laugh and walk off

[user1485342611]

There's a big difference between docking money from staff who are being paid to turn up on time, and taking money from people who are turning up late to use the service you provide.

I doubt the school have any legal right to do this. What will they do if a parent refuses to pay?

[Nikephorus]

Rather than worrying about whether you'd get fined why not put more effort into getting your kids to school on time?

[BakedBeans47]

I doubt it’s enforceable but for repeat offenders I don’t think it’s a bad idea.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

I think that the school attendance rates will be going down the pan

[DavidBowiesNumber1]

cinderellaprincesses123

Givemeallthechocolate Y R U lying bout the skool huh? there probibly a gr8 skool but u dissin them like mad bro. how fing daare u?! go drink gin gin grin. it will make all ur prolems dispear

Excuse me?

[FizzyGreenWater]

Sounds great, they can use the money accumulated to pay for everyone's childcare on inset days. Or when they close for polling.

I mean, if we're treating it all as a business arrangement...

[BlackBanana]

Cinderella been at the

[Givemeallthechocolate]

Nikephorus- I didn't say I was concerned, I'm just shocked to be told this.
It may not even be true.

I'd just like to make the point, I've been told that this is something that's been rolled out this term- i would know if it was true or not, if I needed to be worried about getting such a fine. Week 8 of term, not late once, thank you very much.


No need for the dig, honestly.

[wannabestressfree]

@cinderellaprincesses123 wrong ‘net’ love

[PetalStretch]

Take it off their pocket money (if kids at fault!).

If its the parents, well, too bad for not getting out of bed you lazy arse