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Original poster

How do I approach the school about early pick up?

25 replies

Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:00

DD (5) in Reception finishes school this Friday. School closes early so pick up is at 1:20. I'm thinking of booking a Christmas show for her that afternoon, but it takes at least 1.5 if not 2 hrs travelling to the theatre so I'd need to collect her about 1 hr earlier to be on the safe side. Show starts at 2:30 pm. Traffic can be very busy on a Friday afternoon plus trains are not very reliable.

I've not asked the school for early pick up before, so I have no experience. Would they be funny about it? Or shall I say I'm taking her to the doctor? 😣

OP posts:
whattodo1975 · 13/12/2022 14:03

You are probably best off not sending her in at all that day. If you pull her out part way through day she might get upset she's missing out on something fun happening later in school day.

TeenDivided · 13/12/2022 14:04

Just say you are collecting at break time as you have a theatre appointment.
Once she has the registration mark for the morning they won't mind.

skippy67 · 13/12/2022 14:04

I'd just say I'm picking her up early. I had the exact same scenario a few years ago. I wanted to take Dd to see a show in London for her birthday. Told the school I'd be collecting her an hour earlier than usual and they were fine about it.

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EVHead · 13/12/2022 14:05

Just say you’re picking her up early. Don’t lie.

icegoose · 13/12/2022 14:05

I always just send an email in beforehand and then collect early on the day.

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:05

@whattodo1975 it's just one hour, they are probably half way through the lunch at that time and she barely eats anything at school (very picky) so she won't be missing much, I don't think

OP posts:
Helpwithdaughterpls · 13/12/2022 14:05

You just tell them. They won't care.

GerbilsForever24 · 13/12/2022 14:05

Just tell them you're collecting early. You're the parent. If they do afternoon registration, she may get an "unauthorised" mark because it's for the theatre not for a doctor's appointment but so what? It's a half day of unauthorised absence.

Stardustkid · 13/12/2022 14:06

Tell them the truth we had to when they changed pick up time on a last day as we had to leave 30 mins before the end of day. But they were fine with it even helped us. It was a one off and although you’ll be marked absent is only the pm session.

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:06

skippy67 · 13/12/2022 14:04

I'd just say I'm picking her up early. I had the exact same scenario a few years ago. I wanted to take Dd to see a show in London for her birthday. Told the school I'd be collecting her an hour earlier than usual and they were fine about it.

Oh thank you, yes, I don't want to to lie...

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/12/2022 14:07

Can you not just pick her up at lunchtime if the time you want to get her is part way through lunch?

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:14

dementedpixie · 13/12/2022 14:07

Can you not just pick her up at lunchtime if the time you want to get her is part way through lunch?

Oh yes, I can collect her at lunch time, definitely...

I'll speak to the teacher today. I heard a few parents who said they got in trouble with the school for taking kids out of school for non-health related absences. The school is very hot on attendance.

OP posts:
LeafHunter · 13/12/2022 14:15

I’d pick up before lunch, having worked in a lot of schools if can be hard for staff for find a child when a parent is waiting during lunchbreak or the playground as the classroom staff are often not on duty and the office staff/lunch time supervisors don’t know all childrens names.

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:19

Thank you for all your advice. Do I need to speak to her teacher or email the school about it?

Collecting her before lunch would be ever better as this way we will have plenty of time to get to the theatre.

OP posts:
HBZ287 · 13/12/2022 14:22

Send them an email saying what time you will collect her. Year R so doesn’t have to be in school full time by law. Though as she is 5 from next term it would be unauthorised absence as it’s the term after they have their fifth birthday that they have to be in school. Have fun!

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 14:25

HBZ287 · 13/12/2022 14:22

Send them an email saying what time you will collect her. Year R so doesn’t have to be in school full time by law. Though as she is 5 from next term it would be unauthorised absence as it’s the term after they have their fifth birthday that they have to be in school. Have fun!

Thank you. I've just emailed the school.

I didn't know that the unauthorised absence will only be counted after their 5th birthday. That's very helpful to know.

OP posts:
ethelredonagoodday · 13/12/2022 14:32

Just ask to collect at lunchtime time (assuming that works with your timings?) if it's anything like our school, they'll not give a shiny shite.

SparkyBlue · 13/12/2022 14:33

Just pick her up early you don't need an excuse.

FTY765 · 13/12/2022 14:46

Don't say it's for a doctor.
Either don't send her in (although last days are normally quite fun IME) or just tell them you will be picking her up at x time.

MuggleMe · 13/12/2022 20:25

Definitely collect at the start of lunch, easier handover as they won't need to track her down somewhere in the playground or lunch hall. It's all fun times anyway by then.

Original poster
Cicunita · 13/12/2022 22:09

Thank you for all the advice. I've emailed the school and told them I'll be picking her up an hour earlier.

They said it's ok but they'll record it as unauthorised absence, which is fair enough.

OP posts:
OldChinaJug · 13/12/2022 22:41

Just tell them. I'm a teacher and I'd think this was lovely. It's not going to impact on her learning because they won't be doing any learning in the last day and it's a lovely thing to do.

No school I've worked in would mind this.

When my son was at primary, he started learning the cello. I took him out of school one day to see a string quartet. Again, they were fine with it.

SweetSakura · 13/12/2022 22:47

I just used to be honest with school. I took them out in infants a couple of times a year to see a children's ballet or music concert or similar. Some teachers were mealy mouthed about it. Some were really positive. Reality is they are all in top sets and doing really well so it didn't do them any harm.

neighboursmustliveon · 14/12/2022 04:10

Before booking check with the school. Many of the schools in my trust require evidence of why children need to leave early and wouldn't accept going to a show. Things like dentist/hospital etc are ok.

OldChinaJug · 14/12/2022 05:25

neighboursmustliveon · 14/12/2022 04:10

Before booking check with the school. Many of the schools in my trust require evidence of why children need to leave early and wouldn't accept going to a show. Things like dentist/hospital etc are ok.

It doesn't matter whether they 'accept' it or not. They can't refuse to let a parent take a child out!

The worst that would happen is that it would be recorded as an unauthorised absence which, in the grand scheme of things, means nothing.

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