Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you let your DC stay off school on the last day of a term?

128 replies

goaskmum · 12/04/2022 13:42

For example, the last day of school before the Christmas holidays? If it’s a half day and they’re just watching DVDs?

I don’t like allowing DD to do it but sometimes she asks me

OP posts:
AHungryCaterpillar · 12/04/2022 13:43

No didn’t realise that was a thing but my kids school don’t do half days on the last day of term it’s always a full day.

GenialHarryGr0ut · 12/04/2022 13:43

Why on earth would you?
If everyone did that term would end a day early.

AlexaShutUp · 12/04/2022 13:43

Of course not. Holidays are for relaxing, school days are for going to school.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General education
Toponeniceone · 12/04/2022 13:44

No!

MirandaWest · 12/04/2022 13:44

No

xsquared · 12/04/2022 13:46

Absolutely not. You're in charge, nor your dd.

Original poster
goaskmum · 12/04/2022 13:46

When the end of term is approaching, DD would always ask me if she can take the day off as they do no work and she says some of her friends stay off

OP posts:
Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 12/04/2022 13:46

No
It's always a full day not a half day but I would ensure the dc were in.
Even if they are watching DVDs they also have playtime and have lots of fun with friends
Also I would likely be working and dont have enough holidays to cover the actual school holidays never mind letting them have a day off in term time

Hiddenvoice · 12/04/2022 13:46

As a teacher, lots of primary and secondary children are off on the last day. Recently it’s been due to covid so some parents have asked for their children to finish earlier to avoid becoming sick.
No work is completed on the last day, children usually enjoy it because it’s more fun and games but if their friends are being kept off then it probably isn’t much fun for them!

Original poster
goaskmum · 12/04/2022 13:48

@Hiddenvoice

As a teacher, lots of primary and secondary children are off on the last day. Recently it’s been due to covid so some parents have asked for their children to finish earlier to avoid becoming sick. No work is completed on the last day, children usually enjoy it because it’s more fun and games but if their friends are being kept off then it probably isn’t much fun for them!
As a parent I would never advocate my DD being off on the last day - am I right in saying that attendance is still recorded even if it is the last day of a term? In both the morning and afternoon even if it’s a half day?
OP posts:
shabbalabba · 12/04/2022 13:48

No because I would more than likely be at work. 9/10 weeks of summer is enough for them to be home anyway!

IcedOatLatte · 12/04/2022 13:51

Of course attendence is recorded, why would they not just because it's the last day?

Do you let your child do everything they ask?

Parker231 · 12/04/2022 13:53

No - children don’t get a choice as to whether they go to school or not. If it’s a school day, they attend!

RandomQuest · 12/04/2022 13:53

Last day of term is party day at DD’s school- they wear their own clothes, play party games, are allowed sweets for their snack so none of the kids want to miss it. But I wouldn’t have any issue with missing it for a holiday, or even just keeping her off if she didn’t want to go for whatever reason, it’s not like any learning is being missed.

Original poster
goaskmum · 12/04/2022 13:54

@IcedOatLatte

Of course attendence is recorded, why would they not just because it's the last day?

Do you let your child do everything they ask?

No, I was just asking to see if it was a common thing.

I have only ever let my DD stay off school on the last day of term on one occasion and that was because no work was being done, it was a half day and I had to go to an appointment.

Other than that, I don’t allow her off on the last day of term unless she’s genuinely sick

OP posts:
BobbinHood · 12/04/2022 13:56

No I wouldn’t, not unless she was ill or we had somewhere important to be. Just because they want to isn’t a good enough reason for me, whether there are lessons happening on the last day or not.

stargirl1701 · 12/04/2022 13:56

No. It's a lovely, relaxed social occasion that marks the end. It adds to the class cohesiveness that children mark these moments as they grow.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/04/2022 13:57

In five primary schools I've never seen them just watch DVDs on the last day.

One school finished after lunch, the rest normal time. DD even had her sports club on the last day.

The last day is when they bring home any prizes, art projects etc too.

TurningUpMyStereotype · 12/04/2022 13:57

They’ve never asked to be off on the last day, it’s often a nice day they enjoy. I have let them be off other days occasionally.

huuskymam · 12/04/2022 13:58

That would be the only day my kids wouldn't want to miss. They have a little party, watch a film and a half day.

pictish · 12/04/2022 14:01

I knew mn would be resounding NO. Heh.
I often do and I’ll tell you why…there’s no one else there. They’re all off. The parents of our school clearly don’t Mumsnet.

MackenCheese · 12/04/2022 14:01

No, I wouldn't. But for some reason my DC always seem to get sick with a ranging temp on the last couple of days of the term. The school must be v suspicious! 😂

Sirzy · 12/04/2022 14:02

I have after discussion with school because Ds is routine driven so sometimes it’s in everyone’s best interest if he stays home! I wouldn’t normally though

pictish · 12/04/2022 14:02

I used to insist they attend but they’d come home and report it was them and three other kids in class that day. Felt bad for pushing it and gave up making them go.

icanonlydosomuch · 12/04/2022 14:02

Of course not!

That's really not setting a good example for when they are older and go to work!

Swipe left for the next trending thread