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Original poster

I KNOW I am being unreasonable but it still stinks

56 replies

TheOrigRights · 21/04/2023 14:44

My son (like most) will be on strike day 5 come the end of April.
I fully support the teachers.
He has had 4 days off sick since September.

My request to take him out of school one day next week to attend a wedding has been declined. I understand that attendance and strike action are completely unrelated, but it does leave me with a slight bitter taste in my mouth to have the importance of attendance explained to me and the impact on his education.

I think they could have just refused the application according to rule bla bla without giving me a lecture.

Just needed to get that off my chest.

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 22/04/2023 13:38

A one day absence shouldn't attract a fine? If it's unauthorised, then that won't actually harm him in any way.

Just say you understand they can't authorise it, but you're taking him out for the day anyway.

I don't think you'll be the only one.

JeannieAlogy · 21/04/2023 15:13

WheelsUp · 21/04/2023 14:50

The rules used to be that authorised absences were at the discretion of head teachers but attendance is something that OFSTED uses to judge schools hence the pressure to attend even when not fully well.

In my experience, there are times when head teachers would like to authorise absence but the way that OFSTED judges schools, and the way that they Local Authority runs things means they cannot.

If it's a one day absence it is unlikely to attract a fine if you take him out of school that day, but again, it's up to how things work between your school and Local Authority as to whether a fine is implemented.

Original poster
TheOrigRights · 21/04/2023 14:51

Aylestone · 21/04/2023 14:47

I wouldn’t have even bothered asking, a wedding isn’t going to be authorised. I know you shouldn’t encourage lying but I’d have just said they were sick

It would have looked really suspect though.
Strike, sick, weekend, weekend, bank holiday, strike.

Not that we'd consider going away for 6 days anyway, what with me working and all.

OP posts:
WheelsUp · 21/04/2023 14:50

The rules used to be that authorised absences were at the discretion of head teachers but attendance is something that OFSTED uses to judge schools hence the pressure to attend even when not fully well.

LiliLil · 21/04/2023 14:47

Agree completely.

I support teachers 100% but it stings a bit when my son will have had 6 strike days by the end of the month but I know I’ll face a fine if I take him out for a few days in September to go away with family.

Aylestone · 21/04/2023 14:47

I wouldn’t have even bothered asking, a wedding isn’t going to be authorised. I know you shouldn’t encourage lying but I’d have just said they were sick