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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:
HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 12/04/2022 14:03

At my school we normally have a 5 period day. At the end of term we have 4 periods instead and children go home at what would be lunchtime and miss the last period.

We teach as normal p1-3 with a form party / awards during p4.

Staff have their lunch, goodbyes etc during normal lunch and P5.

We always have a small amount of students off but they do miss learning. I wouldn't be allowing my Dd to miss it. Plus even if they aren't working, being able to relax and spend time socialising with their forms is also valuable.

dementedpixie · 12/04/2022 14:05

Yes I often let them stay off especially if in the run up to the last day there are very few other pupils in. Seems more of an issue in secondary school so they stayed in until the last day in primary school.

SummerHouse · 12/04/2022 14:05

I might raise this with my boss before I go on leave. Grin

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VerifiedBot2351 · 12/04/2022 14:06

I’m a secondary teacher and my students work on the last day. What’s the point in watching half a film three times?

pictish · 12/04/2022 14:07

@icanonlydosomuch

Of course not!

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

I knew someone would pop this one out.

You watch mn…it’s a slippery slope to failure.

Fedupsotired · 12/04/2022 14:10

Mine used to love the last day!

Gone now though are the filler lessons, it's normal work until the bell in my school so missing the last day would mean missing out

notacooldad · 12/04/2022 14:11

I never did.
It's still a school day.

AhhWoof · 12/04/2022 14:15

Wouldn't cross my mind. It's a school day! It's the same as saying 'do you make them go in on a Friday?'

RightOnTheEdge · 12/04/2022 14:21

No, never. I don't know anyone else who does either. My friends all work though so probably have no choice.
Our school finishes 50 minutes early so not a half day.

00100001 · 12/04/2022 14:27

@icanonlydosomuch

Of course not!

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

Ha ha what nonsense.

First a 7year old doesn't need preparing for the work place.

And two, everywhere I've worked , people knock off early on a Friday every so often!

Calmdown14 · 12/04/2022 14:29

We sometimes book holidays that start on the Friday so they may miss all or half of the last day. Not all of them though and they go in as usual if we're here.

Only lower end primary and in Scotland so no fines

EmilyEmmabob · 12/04/2022 14:30

As a secondary teacher watching DVDs all day and doing no work is something I don't ever recall happening. My school certainly don't allow it and it isn't my first school. We work up until the end, things may not be as strict but it isn't wasted time. It is possible to teach meaningful lessons whilst allowing students to relax and have a bit of fun.

My own primary children go to school on the last day, they enjoy all the activities the teachers organise for them and there is usually a celebration assembly of some sort.

I think it sets a very poor example when children get to pick and choose their days at school, life gets very hard when they suddenly don't have a choice any more. Obviously there are exceptions to this but as a rule children should not be in control of their attendance.

MajorCarolDanvers · 12/04/2022 14:32

Only if we are travelling otherwise I make mine go.

A lot of their friends get to skive off.

Changes17 · 12/04/2022 14:33

Absolutely not. I need that last day - usually have lots of work to finish...

Lokipokey1 · 12/04/2022 14:42

Where are all these schools that do nothing on the last day of term of the Autumn and Spring terms? I haven't done that since I was a child in school! The last day is usually for finishing off things we haven't managed during the term. In my experience, if it's all DVDs and playing the kids get bored and fall out with each other. In Summer term on the last day I do love having the children there to help take down displays and start moving things into my new classroom, though! Willing child labour is the best!

JustLyra · 12/04/2022 15:11

I have done recently when I know there’s no work being done and when it’s not something they mind missing.

My youngest is CEV so her siblings being at school is the biggest risk to her (it’s a difficult balance) so if they don’t need to be there and don’t want to be then they stay home.

CitrusSunshine · 12/04/2022 15:14

No. Would never enter my head. Last day of school is usually most DC's favourite day, especially at primary school.

Comedycook · 12/04/2022 15:14

No I do not.

Although my teenage ds thinks this is very unfair as all his friends are allowed to have the day off.

As a mum, I will admit I hate school holidays so I have no wish to lengthen them

RoseMartha · 12/04/2022 15:19

No

Xmasbaby11 · 12/04/2022 15:20

No. Never occurred to me!

megletthesecond · 12/04/2022 15:20

Um, no never.

SirenSays · 12/04/2022 15:28

God I would have loved this. They were always the same. A long lecture about how lucky we were to be able to watch a film.
On a TV from the stone age that took at least 45 minutes to set up and the same bad movies every year.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 12/04/2022 15:29

absolutely not

00100001 · 12/04/2022 15:32

@EmilyEmmabob

As a secondary teacher watching DVDs all day and doing no work is something I don't ever recall happening. My school certainly don't allow it and it isn't my first school. We work up until the end, things may not be as strict but it isn't wasted time. It is possible to teach meaningful lessons whilst allowing students to relax and have a bit of fun.

My own primary children go to school on the last day, they enjoy all the activities the teachers organise for them and there is usually a celebration assembly of some sort.

I think it sets a very poor example when children get to pick and choose their days at school, life gets very hard when they suddenly don't have a choice any more. Obviously there are exceptions to this but as a rule children should not be in control of their attendance.

Fairly sure I get to pick and choose which days I have holiday from work...
WonderfulYou · 12/04/2022 15:39

No I don’t simply because it’s usually the best day for them to be in.
They have lots of fun and they get to see their friends one last time before they break up as many can’t see them over the holidays.

It’s also often such an easy day and it would be silly to waste an unauthorised attendance on a day that they’re not doing much.

Obviously some last days aren’t all fun but that’s another reason to not keep them off.

I’d rather my child had a day off mid term than on the last day.
Of course sometimes it can’t be helped though.

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