for being livid that school sent DS, 8, home whilst I was talking to his teacher

[AugustMoon]

I was called in to speak to DS' teacher today at 3 about a playground incident, school finishes at 3:30. When I arrive I ask how DS has been in class today and am told that she hasn't been in the classroom due to personal commitments today. She goes on to discuss the incident - basically a game that got out of hand resulting in another boy getting hurt - we're chatting for quite a while when I notice the time and ask if DS is definitely aware that I am in with her, she says yes and carries on talking. I manage to "escape" at just before 4pm and make a dash for DS classroom, other teacher in there says that DS has gone home! I find him in tears having come back to school thinking, his words, he'd never see me again. I am furious about the lack of communication but not sure what to do.

Oh dear, there was I thinking I'd hit on some kind of conspiracy

To be fair, it doesn't read as though your son was sent home.

He took it upon himself to leave, rather than finding a member of staff.

I think you probably need to impress upon your son the importance of following rules (assuming that your rule is that he should wait at school for you).

Why would he think he would never see you again?

He's 8 - he is plenty old enough to know what he needs to do if you aren't there. You could have been late for any reason. If you had been late due to something else would you still be blaming the school?

He also sounds like he needs some help to stop being so 'sensitive'. It's one thing to worry where you might be, it's extreme for an 8 year old to think he'd never see you again.

I think it's your son's fault.i would expect only the very small children to be released to a parent, the older children should know that if their adult isn't there to meet them , to go back into school.
Brownies, gymnastics club, junior football etc all work the same way as that round here