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Original poster

Term-Time Absence/Ad Hoc School Closure?

32 replies

Jamiller63 · 23/09/2018 09:59

I have joined to ask this question - it's more about the contradictory school policies as opposed to the individual incidents. The overall question is:

"How can schools deem it to be OK to close a school as a matter of routine (i.e. not extraordinary) and then refuse to grant absence which is clearly "extraordinary"".

I have an 11-year old daughter, for the first time I have asked for permission to take my daughter out of school for 2 days. In short it's for a wedding which was fixed for a Monday by Irish relatives thinking that Irish and English term dates are the same - they are not, hence the issue. Applied on 1 July (before she actually entered the school, have just had the response "not extraordinary", we disagree - what's clearly "extraordinary" (i.e. uncommon, out of the norm) to us is not to the school. We can understand the school's perspective (well sort of!), however...

...we then get notice that the school is closing for a half-day this month so the teachers can prepare for next year's intake open evening. Meaning every child in the school misses a half day's education. Seems odd to us we only asked for 2 days, the school's is impacting on a total of about 1,000 educational days.

OP posts:
gallicgirl · 23/09/2018 10:43

Cheers Titty, missed that.

They set up after school. I don't see why it needs a whole afternoon unless they're desperate to present the school in a false light. Why should 1000 kids miss out on schooling in order to sell the school to prospective students? I can see why the OP is annoyed.

Wolfiefan · 23/09/2018 10:43

They may be using INSET time. They may set work for students to do at home. Depending on timetable it may be one lesson. You’re talking about a student missing 10 hours of work everyone else does.
You’ve basically asked for holiday. Ok to attend a wedding but it’s not a medical issue etc. Schools generally don’t/can’t authorise this. They are expected to get all students into school every day unless they’re ill.

TittyGolightly · 23/09/2018 10:38

Is your child in reception class?

From the OP:

I have an 11-year old daughter

noblegiraffe · 23/09/2018 10:37

Why is it ridiculous? When would teachers be able to set up for open evening otherwise?

gallicgirl · 23/09/2018 10:32

I've never known a school to close prior to open evening. It's ridiculous.

Is your child in reception class? She's not obliged to be in education until the term after she's 5 so I wouldn't worry too much. Also, if her attendance is otherwise excellent, she won't hit the threshold to be fined.

It's two different issues in the school's eyes. Just go and have fun.

Original poster
Jamiller63 · 23/09/2018 10:28

Thank you - makes sense, although the issue will stick in our throats for a bit - need to put it behind us ASAP!

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 23/09/2018 10:10

The half day closure prior to open evening is pretty standard.

As no one is at school, your individual child isn't missing lessons.

You taking your child out for 2 days, means she will miss lessons in around 8 subjects which will then need to be caught up.

Extraordinary circumstances are just that, extraordinary. Not wanting to go to a wedding. The HT's hands are pretty tied, they can't approve for a random wedding.

You can still take your DD, it will just be marked as unapproved. You may get fined, but most authorities don't for just 2 days.