AIBU? School says sports day on Saturday is compulsory

[weekendsareforfamily]

My son is in year one, so second sports day now. Last year it was scheduled on a Saturday but the weather was bad so was cancelled and rearranged for a Tuesday afternoon. This year it is planned for this coming Saturday. My boy has a swimming lesson from 09:30, the children have to be in school for 09:00.
On the FB group chat someone has asked whether they have to go as they are working and cannot get the child to school. The receptionist has replied saying yes as its a compulsory day and we have all known about this since September last year.
Now I was planning on popping into the reception to say my boy wouldn't make it because he's swimming but now I am worried I will be told tough and that I knew about this so should be bringing him in. I am worried I will be fined if he doesn't attend but it's a Saturday?! Do I tell the truth and risk a fine? Do I lie and make up another reason? Do I lose out on the money I have already paid for his swimming lessons (we have already lost out on two from going away at last half term)? Arrrgh
WWYD? Thanks

[anotherangel2]

Is this a state school?

[heatwave2018]

I would take him to the swimming lessons depending on what the child wants to do. Personally the school shouldn’t make the children come in at the weekend they need a break. Besides swimming is more important than egg and spoon race. Good swimming and knowledge around the water saves lives. Jumping in a sack probably not as many lives saved

[FlyingElbows]

In the nicest way, op, man up. It's a school not a court of law. Nothing about sports day in a Saturday is compulsory. Simply do not go, it is that easy.

[Teacherontherun]

Have the kids got the day back somewhere else? I would just politely ignore the day, don't even bother telling them he won't be in!

[ShatnersWig]

Round our way sports days are being cancelled because the weather is far too hot.

Compulsory attendance to something outside of normal school hours? Bollocks to that. And to the receptionist. Did she used to work at a GP surgery?

[Cath2907]

We are too busy on the weekend to attend school functions. I'd role an eye and just not attend. I wouldn't even have let school know... Why on Earth would think we can attend on a Saturday?

[CaptainBrickbeard]

You don’t get fined for missing one day anyway. Certainly not a Saturday! It’s a ridiculous idea to hold it on a Saturday and they cannot make it compulsory to attend. I imagine a lot of students will not go!

[lardymclardy]

I've never even heard of a sports day on a Saturday. I was happy enough (just) to rock up to the school fete last Saturday - but for sports day? Sod that!

[Loopylou6]

Not a chance

[StillNoClue]

I assume the sports day was arranged at a weekend so parents could attend.

If you've known about it since last year, it's a bit unreasonable to start having a moan about it now.

Ask your dc what they prefer. Missing a swim lesson won't hurt him.

[SillyMoomin]

depends if it's state or private op

Though to be honest, if you've known about it since last september then him missing one day of swimming isn't really a big deal is it?

[jay55]

You won’t get a fine for missing one day.

[Amanduh]

Lol as if they can make you go. It’s not compulsory and they can’t make you go! Or fine you! It’s going to be 30 degrees here too. No thanks!

[Sirzy]

Does he want to go?

There is no way you would get ds near school on a Saturday and I wouldn’t even waste my time trying!

[NewYearNewMe18]

Bull is it compulsory!

What about those who go to the other parent on a weekend?

[seventhgonickname]

Nothing outside school hrs is compulsory.Anyway it is still too hot for a sports day,sitting around between races with no shade.
Just don't go,I doubt anyone would say anything and you would t be the only one.

[Rainuntilseptember15]

The swimming lesson is irrelevant, as you’ve already shown by going on holiday. Isn’t a sports day more memorable than a lesson? That said it is strange to call it compulsory.
Working parents often say they can’t get to school events, maybe this is a way of helping with that.

[jubbablub]

Are they paying all of their staff for an extra day. As a teacher, unless I was being paid extra/getting a day back, I wouldn’t do it!! Ridiculous!!!

[scrappydappydoo]

Don’t think it’s compulsory and I doubt you’d get a fine. I would pop into the school and ask - maybe he could arrive late? Ask his teacher for clarification?
As a side note I remember my primary school doing Saturday morning pe lessons but that was back in the good ole days

[mrsm43s]

If you've known about it since September last year, why did you book a swimming lesson that day? Plus, you're happy to miss swimming lessons for holidays, but not for a one-off compulsory school function? Seems like odd priorities to me.

My children are in the Independent sector, and have compulsory sports fixtures most weekends (and quite a few evening events too) - indeed they're most disappointed if they don't make the teams and so don't have a fixture! Compulsory concerts and music events on weekend and evenings too, along with a host of other co-curriculars. They are proud to attend. I can see why state schools fail to offer the same enrichment and sporting opportunities as Indys, if this is the attitude of the parents. Personally, I'm delighted that my children's teachers are happy to give up their time and offer these additional experiences, and would never dream of prioritising anything else.

That said, I very much doubt that the school can do a thing about it, and you certainly won't get fined for missing one Saturday. So don't take your child, and I doubt you will hear a thing about it. But don't go whinging that your child hasn't had a Sports Day or that the school stops offering any co-curriculars. If you don't prioritise your child's school experience how can you expect anyone else to?

[RatherBeRiding]

I assume this must be an independent school? Can't see a state school even considering scheduling a sports day for a Saturday.

In any case - nope. Too hot. He's only in Year 1. Sports days are dreadful.

Take him swimming instead.

[Amanduh]

Lol at ‘if you don’t prioritise your child’s school experience’ and ‘I can see why state schools fail to offer the same enrichment and sporting opportunities as Indys, if this is the attitude of the parents.’ For a sports day on a Saturday.
Yep, definitely 😂😂😂😂

[Imchlibob]

The school has no power to compel you to take your child to sports day.

They might use emotional blackmail on your child to make them want to do it, so I would be wary of asking DC's opinion.

The worst possible consequence is some kind of deduction of house points for kids that don't go.

[FlyingElbows]

"I can see why state schools fail to offer the same enrichment and sporting opportunities as Indys..." well clearly you don't!

In all my time as both a pupil and parent in the independent sector weekend activities have never been "compulsory". Encouraged, yes, compulsory no because a school is a school and not the police. Miss Hockysticks is extremely unlikely to turn up in a van to haul Harriet off to training because she has precisely zero right to do so, fees or no fees. Smuggery is not appealing, mrsm43s.