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Original poster

School not letting my child from the school

844 replies

Kutika · 05/09/2024 15:59

I have read numerous discussions where people mention that schools cannot legally prevent a child from leaving, yet I find myself in this exact situation. The school is refusing to allow my child to leave, despite my clear instructions. I've sent an email, filed a complaint with the trust, and even contacted the police, but to my surprise, none of these actions have resolved the issue. I was told by the head teacher that the law does not apply to them. Any ideas on who to contact?

OP posts:
Hollowvoice · 05/09/2024 17:05

Kutika · 05/09/2024 16:59

If you work from home and you are in the meeting it is unreasonable to pick up.

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Most people would arrange the meeting to avoid 10 minutes they'd be unavailable while picking up...
How have you managed pick ups for the rest of your child's school life? Why is it only a problem this year?

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 17:04

SaffronsMadAboutMe · 05/09/2024 17:02

Lol I'd get the sack if I did that.

My meetings go on until the minute I stop being paid.

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I will have to agree with you on this one.

OP posts:
Fluufer · 05/09/2024 17:04

Unless they can name a specific concern relevant to your DD, they should mind their own business. That's plenty old enough to walk a short distance to an occupied home. Keep insisting. Do not pay for after school club.

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 17:04

theeyeofdoe · 05/09/2024 16:59

make it absolutely clear that you will not be paying for after school club and don’t pick them up.

This was noted in the email chain that was sent to their head office. During today's meeting, I did say that all the costs will be denied. If there is an issue we will go the the small claims court.

OP posts:
Reugny · 05/09/2024 17:03

eggandchip · 05/09/2024 17:02

All i can say is you have children they are your responsibility just go pick her up its 300 yards i dont get why you cant do it.

The OP is the one who clearly works out of the house so she can't do it.

However her husband and older child can.

SaffronsMadAboutMe · 05/09/2024 17:02

SilenceInside · 05/09/2024 17:01

@Kutika your husband can block out his diary so he doesn't have meetings at the end of his work day, and then go and get her.

Lol I'd get the sack if I did that.

My meetings go on until the minute I stop being paid.

Conniebygaslight · 05/09/2024 17:02

Just go get your child…or get your DH to?

eggandchip · 05/09/2024 17:02

All i can say is you have children they are your responsibility just go pick her up its 300 yards i dont get why you cant do it.

smallchange · 05/09/2024 17:01

Could your dh agree to phone the headteacher every afternoon to confirm that he is at home to safely receive the child and he absolves the headteacher of responsibility should something happen on the 300yd walk home.

And then do it. Every afternoon. They'll soon get sick of it.

The school are being ridiculous but people do get entrenched in a decision and feel that they can't back down. If you can give anything to them to let them save face you might be able to swing it.

Goldbar · 05/09/2024 17:01

What are they going to do when ASC finishes? Call social services or let her walk home?

LongLiveTheLego · 05/09/2024 17:01

The school cannot legally prevent your child from leaving unless they call social services who will tell them to let your child leave. Tell her to walk out of the school. They are acting unlawfully and no policy trumps the law.

Reugny · 05/09/2024 17:01

theeyeofdoe · 05/09/2024 16:59

make it absolutely clear that you will not be paying for after school club and don’t pick them up.

This

Get the older child to pick your younger child up or your husband after he's finished.

Send your child to school on their own.

You need to be more bloody minded than them.

SilenceInside · 05/09/2024 17:01

@Kutika your husband can block out his diary so he doesn't have meetings at the end of his work day, and then go and get her.

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 17:00

Reugny · 05/09/2024 16:59

Did you get that in writing?

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Nope, it was during the conversation with the school head office. I sent a complain to them stating all the facts.

OP posts:
Verbena17 · 05/09/2024 17:00

ginnybag · 05/09/2024 16:55

I agree that a short walk with no roads at 10 shouldn't be an issue. However...

Is there someone at home when she arrives?

If so, what is the reason they can't take ten minutes to go and get her?

If not, then it isn't just the walk - it's the fact that she's too young to be home on her own (for how long?) and that there would be no-one to raise an alarm if she didn't make it safely.

But there’s no law against leaving her home alone….

‘There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it's an offence to leave a child alone if this puts them at risk. Parents/carers can be prosecuted for neglect if it is judged that they placed a child at risk by leaving them home alone.’ (NI Direct)

When middle school existed, we walked home from year 5 either alone or with friends. It was the done thing that when you went into year 5, you went home independently.

Whilst the school might have a policy for not walking until 3rd term of yr 5, there’s something to be said for a case by case approach - because you would be able to walk home as a year 6 child but could in theory be completely incompetent at walking home alone, but the school wouldn’t care because the policy allows it 🤔

Floralnomad · 05/09/2024 17:00

The rules are the rules and in this particular instance they are there for a reason - safeguarding . Until the child leaves the school grounds it is the schools responsibility and if they want it to leave the grounds accompanied by a responsible person that is their prerogative. Do you know someone else who picks up who could escort her home ?

theeyeofdoe · 05/09/2024 16:59

make it absolutely clear that you will not be paying for after school club and don’t pick them up.

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 16:59

Reugny · 05/09/2024 16:58

It isn't an empty home there is an older child and an adult who will be at home.

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If you work from home and you are in the meeting it is unreasonable to pick up.

OP posts:
Reugny · 05/09/2024 16:59

Kutika · 05/09/2024 16:58

This is the reason they do not allow it to be an adult. I have contacted their trust and asked for their advice it was mentioned that they have no problem with the child walking home.

Show quote history

Did you get that in writing?

HateMyselfToo · 05/09/2024 16:58

Why is this the hill you want to die on? Why can't the older sibling or your DH pick her up?

SilenceInside · 05/09/2024 16:58

Presumably they are putting her in the after school club because no adult is arriving to pick her up. So if you actually went to pick her up then you wouldn't be charged.

Just go and pick her up.

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 16:58

GrandHighPoohbah · 05/09/2024 16:56

Could your older child pick her up? Our school allowed that if the child picking them up was over 14.

This is the reason they do not allow it to be an adult. I have contacted their trust and asked for their advice it was mentioned that they have no problem with the child walking home.

OP posts:
Reugny · 05/09/2024 16:58

StormingNorman · 05/09/2024 16:57

I don’t think the school are being unreasonable here. If you were at home, it would only take a few minutes to pop to the school for pick up.

If you’re not around, then you’re asking school to release her to an empty home. And that in itself is a safeguarding concern.

It isn't an empty home there is an older child and an adult who will be at home.

StormingNorman · 05/09/2024 16:57

I don’t think the school are being unreasonable here. If you were at home, it would only take a few minutes to pop to the school for pick up.

If you’re not around, then you’re asking school to release her to an empty home. And that in itself is a safeguarding concern.

Original poster
Kutika · 05/09/2024 16:57

Eastie77Returns · 05/09/2024 16:53

What do you mean the policy is non-existent? If they’ve told you the rule is she cannot go home on her own until April then it clearly exists?

I agree it all sounds ridiculous btw.

There is no policy about it. They don't have it. The only thing that they have a handbook which was issued in Year R

OP posts: