I feel terrible, taken out of school for Lapland UK

Oh how lovely, have a wonderful time and don’t think any more about it, I’m so glad you won the tickets, I’ve heard it’s truly magical if ridiculously expensive!

I was a primary teacher for 16+ years until having my daughter and would still absolutely do the same without a second thought (well ok, I’d probably overthink it a bit!) I’m really hot on her being in school usually and wouldn’t make a habit of it, but for something like this I would.

Last year she was in reception, not 5 yet and we took her out for a day. I was away for work, DH had the chance to go join his parents in a beautiful holiday spot but the only way it could be made to work was for them to go down Thursday evening and miss the Friday of school. I told the teacher honestly what we were doing and she said brightly ‘oh how lovely’ and then told me to just can the office Friday morning and say she was ill, ‘obviously I didn’t tell you that but just easiest all round!’

Who cares about 100% attendance? Go!

Well if you don’t have a lot of money you probably won’t want a fine for non attendance, bear in mind that nobody on here telling you you’ll be ok is going to pay the fine for you. What’s the schools policy? Fines usually start at compulsory school age on the school term after their 5th birthday and you say she’s 5 so it sounds like you could well get a letter regardless if you told them.

OP, that’s awful. Your poor DD will miss that day’s phonics, and go through life never able to use that day’s letter. 😁😉

Don't worry, by the time she is a bit older you will be completely immune to any guilt tripping the school do. When they go so overboard, so often, it quickly immunises you to it!

Dd has a disability and a serious health condition, that required surgery. My mum guilt evaporated when we recieved a threatening letter about too much time off, and dd missed out on the 'good' childrens attendance party.

Have a wonderful day. You will probably get a letter from school but this is just a template that they are told to send. Enjoy every moment ❤️

am I a bad mum?

Absolutely not. Sounds lovely.

As a teacher, I can assure you that one day off, especially at this time of year, is not going to do any harm.

This also @MummaHud take lots of pictures and maybe encourage your daughter to write a couple of short sentences about her day.

the teachers would love it!

Hell no, you are doing something wonderful for her. I'm taking 3 kids out of school for a ski holiday for a whole week (not in UK so less strict) I don't care, they can catch up. Life experiences and travel are more educational at the end of the day

Hope you have an amazing day!!!. Don't suppose you have a spare ticket for me lol?

Absolutely not a bad mum. It’s one day and she’s 5 memories and experiences like that will be with you forever and they are only small once. I’m taking my kids abroad for 2 days on Thursday to the Christmas markets and just emailed the school and told them they wouldn’t be in. All they are doing at school this week is crafts and present day anyway!!

Ohhh congratulations - I hope you have the best time and your littlest is doing well now?

Enjoy!

This. They keep it up for an hour then tell everyone where they went. It’s quite funny.

1-2 days really isn’t an issue- don’t worry and have a lovely day.

Yeah don’t lie, kids aren’t quiet about what goes on generally. Plenty tell everyone about their holiday when they were marked off sick etc. Ot the other side is they worry about trying to keep it secret so their parents don’t get into trouble.

Teachers are human, the attendance policy wasn’t set by the teachers but by goverment depts and local authority. They would totally understand you doing this.

I’m a teacher and have been for many moons.
Please don’t worry. Things like this are brilliant. Some of my class have gone this year on school days and the photos the parents have shown me you can see the awe and wonder - it’s lovely. And the excitement from the children has been just gorgeous.

Your child will remember your adventure together. So many people will tell you that life is too short to not grab opportunities like this. Have an amazing day and enjoy every moment.

Edited to add: please don’t lie about it. We’re not stupid and the kids ALWAYS come in and tell us. All that happens if you tell a child to lie is that you put them in an awkward position when we ask if they’re feeling better!

I took my kids to Lapland aged 5 and 7 - they missed two days of school along with their close friends as we all went together. My kids are now 11 and 14 and say its the best holiday they've ever been on... It have amazing memories and loved it too!

The teachers were really interested in our trip tbh.

I hope you have the best time.

I agree. I do some supply teaching and last week I was in a year one class and there was a little boy who was so ill he absolutely should not have been there but the school had rung the day before and encouraged his mother to bring him in. He ended up asleep so he didn’t learn a thing but as long as the school have their attendance mark that’s all they are interested in.

Sounds like a lovely experience you cant do another time. She is 5 and has good attendance so fine to miss a day as a one off. Enjoy!

Go! And have a wonderful day with your children! But do tell the truth about going to Lapland UK because your DD will go back to school…….and tell EVERYONE how magical the place was! Don’t get caught out in a lie OP.

Totally agree. Parents should be able to do things like this.

OP, I'm a primary teacher (for what that's worth) and agree that the school won't do anything.

It'll be recorded as an unauthorised absence because it has to be but the staff will think it's a lovely idea and most would do the same ourselves.

Seriously, do not worry about this and have a lovely day.

Just lie. Why be honest?

Because the first thing the child will do is tell everyone when she returns so it's pointless and doesn't reflect well on lying parents. Schools have no choice but to record absences as unauthorised but teachers are people too and most of us would absolutely do the same thing for our own children.

You are not a bad mum. She’s five and the magic will be amazing for her. Don’t worry it’s one day of school. How lucky to have won such a prize after the time you have had.

You won’t get this time back.

This sort of fear is a clear demonstration of how ridiculous the schools and rules system has gotten. Have an amazing time. It’s one day.

Stop with the guilt. I don’t think the teachers will care one bit that she’s missed a day. I think they’ll be excited for her having such an awesome experience.

why don’t you take in a tub of heroes or something tomorrow to say thank you for understanding how important this was to you as a family after last year?

might help you feel a little better by showing the staff that to you appreciate them