School refused to release my child until after parents’ meeting – is this allowed?

I don't think holding children hostage whilst parents are forced to attend a meeting is a constructive way of increasing parent engagement.

What a horrible experience for you, and no, I don't think any school would have the right to demand that you attend a general meeting which was not convenient for you by keeping your child on the school premises after school against your wishes and without your permission, I would make an official complaint, I think their treatment of the children and parents was reprehensible.

Sounds like the school has difficulty getting parents to engage and attend meetings. Making sure parents can attend and offering childcare whilst they do should be seen as positive. Lots of parents don’t read emails and then use this as an excuse to not follow eg uniform rules etc.
well done to the school

I think that’s because those posters are genuine.

I think she said she was unwell.

I had this once. I’d been in for a meeting that ended about 2:30. I said I’ll take both my kids now. The woman said ‘oh I’ll just ask the head’ and I was like, there’s no need. I’m taking them.

another time, I’d called to say I was picking my child up as I had to suddenly go out of town. When I got there they didn’t have him ready and I had to insist they give me my child immediately. Cheeky sods.

But poster after poster on this thread have stated genuine reasons why this couldn't work in their family / their life. It has nothing to do with 'not being arsed'.

How odd. Why? When the children have already started school are they talking about uniform, manners, etiquette etc. Where l live this takes place before the end of the summer term, reception children due to start in the September are invited too. Primary school children and parents/carers are never asked to meet up at the end of the school day, without atleast two wks notice...

Even if she already has a fraught relationship with the school why should she shut up and stop stewing about it as you so politely put!? (Just2), she's asking for advice, no need ro be so rude.

No. The school would not be happy if she was 20 minutes late to pick-up each day.

Is this a private school? As otherwise schools have been back a few weeks now, and this is a strange time to choose for a welcome meeting saying who is who and what uniform is required - that’s information parents needed prior to starting surely?

I also, having taught in various primary schools for over 16 years and having had experience of others through my own DC and through teacher friends, find it vanishingly unlikely that the school would only have announced this today. It’s just not how schools work - what about all the children who would be in after school clubs etc? Didn’t they want to reach those parents who don’t normally collect to make sure they get the information out to as many as possible. They will also know that many parents or childminders are collecting children from other settings, that people have other commitments and travel arrangements.

I’m at every single one of the meetings for my DC (no longer a teacher so I can!) and I think they’re important, but that doesn’t mean schools can compel parents to stay by refusing to release their children and the people defending this idea because ‘it’s only 20 minutes’ are equally baffling to me as the idea of this happening in the first place.

If it happened exactly as you said then yes, a complaint would be well within your ‘rights’ - I don’t think I’d be able to stop myself making my feelings known even though it would probably be wiser to let it go!

No that would annoy me. They have no right to detain your child. I would have barged right in and taken them in this situation. Their opinion wouldn’t matter in the slightest

You’ll probably find the school day ends at x time to allow for detentions, meetings like this etc etc and it’s a privilege to go at x time. Chances are the school had already emailed regarding the meeting topics but people weren’t listening

If you want parents to attend a 20 minute meeting it's probably a good idea to give more than six hours' notice, no?

Parents do not have to explain to any school. teacher or governor why they want to take their child out of school outside school hours. No reason at all needs to be given. The teachers have absolutely no right to keep a child after school hours especially if a parent, or anyone with parental rights asks for rhem to be released. The teachers have overstepped the mark. No reason or excuse has to be given by the parent to the teacher at all whatsoever. even if the email was sent a month or 6 weeks ago.
Its not for this parent to step lightly - the teachers who refused her access to her child has to answer for this. The excuses given, however reasonable they may sound does not justify refusing a parent from.collecting their child. The school is in the wrong and the parent should not be treated as a nuisance.

What would have happened if the child had had a dentist appointment or something like that?

I don't see how they can just keep children past the end of the day with no notice and no discussion.

Send an email. Some parents might have appointments or other children to pick up, somewhere to take DC. It's unreasonable to make them all stay for a chat about who's who and what uniform to wear! At least at practically no notice!

No but they are trying to do the best by the children. Without parents being difficult because can’t be arsed attending a meeting for 20 mins.

You do not have to explain to any school. teacher or governor why you want to take your child out of school outside school hours. No reason at all needs to be given. The teachers have absolutely no right to keep a child after school hours especially if a parent, or anyone with parental rights asks for rhem to be released. The teachers have overstepped the mark. No reason or excuse has to be given by the parent to the teacher at all whatsoever. even if the email was sent a month or 6 weeks ago.
Its not for this parent to step lightly - the teachers who refused her access to her child has to answer for this. The excuses given, however reasonable they may sound does not justify refusing a parent from.collecting their child. The school is in the wrong and the parent should not be treated as a nuisance.

It shouldn't be allowed. The school don't own the children or the parents.

Because the go to option is what are my rights! This is everything that is wrong with this Country. Once you would have had a moan when you got home. Not post on social media and straight on Google. It’s not a big deal.

couldnt you have just said you couldn't stay to the meeting and taken your child home?

A twenty-minute school meeting to establish norms and expectations for that school, and you're up in arms about breaching your parental rights? And talking nonsense about safeguarding? The school doesn't and can't revolve around each parent's individual needs and preferences. It's a community. Grow up.

They had probably given prior notice and just followed up with the reminder, so not short notice Checking what your rights are is not ideal.

The school was trying to get as many parents in at once. Which is a difficult task as lot don’t engage. Being only two parents at the classroom door was a clue, you should have followed the instructions and gone to the hall and explained why you could not stay.

School have enough to deal with without the whole what are my rights! I’m new to English etc.

I’m sorry this happened to you but tbh some of the mums here are being quite harsh you’ve asked for help and all some of them have done is dig you out . That’s not very kind f