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Original poster

16 hour school day

36 replies

TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:15

DD is in school choir, they're singing at the Royal Albert Hall at the end of the month, which is amazing and we're all really excited.

Only thing is.... Is she will start school at normal time in the morning, then at 3 will head to RAB for practice rehearsal, by the time she's finished the concert, she will be on the coach by 11pm at the earliest. Then it will take an hour and a half to get back to school and another half an hour after that to get home, which means she won't be home till 1am. She might want something to eat when she gets in as well?

She then has to be in school for normal time the following morning.

Is that normal? I thought the school would let them start a little later?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:16

Bollocks, thought I was in chat.

OP posts:
Olympia2012 · 14/05/2012 14:17

Surely it's fine, they will be tired, but school activities which finish late are not unusual you know!

Llareggub · 14/05/2012 14:18

It is only a one off, isn't it? She'll sleep on the bus if she is tired and she can take food to eat. I'm sure she won't need a late start the next day.

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:20

It is a one off, and she's not been back any later then 9pm from a school activity before. But she really really can't handle late nights. She goes to bed at 8pm and crashes out every night. If we do anything that means she has to stay up later she's a miserable moo.

I'm being precious aren't I? Blush

OP posts:
BobbiFleckman · 14/05/2012 14:21

my friend's daughter did that last year. She just went in late the next morning - her DD is / was 10 years old. If the school get uppity about that, let them get uppity. A 10 year old isn't used to being up at 1am.

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:24

DD is 9.

They did a concert a few weeks ago and got back at 9. She had to stand next to a drum kit for 3 hours and she was crying when she got home cause she said she had a headache. She prob did, but the late night wouldn't have helped.

I must be the only parent who has probs with a child that wants to go to bed early and on time every night Grin

OP posts:
bubby64 · 14/05/2012 14:24

My 2 did something like this last yr, they were 10. I went to get them up for school, saw how tired they were in the morning, and kept them off, sent them in for the afternoon session. The school were absolutly fine with this. I'm sure your school will not kick up much of a fuss, there will prob be others not in as well.

SCOTCHandWRY · 14/05/2012 14:25

She's representing her school at a prestigious event/venue - if you feel she needs a lie-in till lunch time the following day just tell the school that's what's happening! If there's any fuss from them about this, remind them your DC was up till one in the morning at a school event and you expect a little flexibility regarding school attendance the next day!

valiumredhead · 14/05/2012 14:25

I would send my child in late the next day.

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:30

If I keep her off, can't I get in trouble for that? As it will be obvious why I have kept her off?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 14/05/2012 14:32

No, you ring up at 8.30 am and say very firmly 'Due to the very late night last night to RAH dd is obviously very tired but will be coming in later on in the morning.'

blackeyedsusan · 14/05/2012 14:36

she will probably have a headache in the morning if you force her awake. let he sleep and rite a letter. they have to keep the letters in the register.

valiumredhead · 14/05/2012 14:37

Yes, send a letter in.

bigjoeent · 14/05/2012 14:41

our school did something similar, the school decided that they didn't need to be in until the afternoon session the next day, and it wasn't as late as yours. Why don't you raise your concern with the school, you won't be the only parent. I wouldn't send my child in the next morning but later on in the day. They won't learn anything the next day if you do. If I had to do it for work, I'd be in late the next day or work from home.

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 14:48

We asked then about a month ago, and they said they were still deciding if the children should be allowed in late the next day, last week they told us they had to be in at normal time. They recently had an OFSTED inspection and on the report that went out, attendance was pretty poor. So I think that's why they've decided against it.

OP posts:
bigjoeent · 14/05/2012 14:57

Thats ridiculous, I couldn't function well the next day let alone a 9 yo, you're not being precious. I think I would still let them have a lie in the next day.

valiumredhead · 14/05/2012 14:59

Don't ask in advance, don't give them the opportunity to say no.

Krumbum · 14/05/2012 15:02

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity and well worth it. Maybe let her have the next day off school?

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 15:03

So keep her off for the morning, and tell the truth as to why I kept her off? I just don't want it to backfire and end up getting in trouble for it.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 14/05/2012 15:05

Yes, tell the truth, say in your phone call you have tried to wake her but she is extremely tired and you will be sending her in later.

Original poster
TheFlyingFishFinger · 14/05/2012 15:07

Ok, that's what I shall do then. I hope the kids that do go in cause mayhem. That'll learn them Grin

Thanks for all the help

OP posts:
bubby64 · 14/05/2012 15:09

Thats what I did, I said they were so tired I couldnt keep them awake, so it was pointless them trying to learn at school, but they would be in for the afternoon- that way you are being reasonable, as you have not kept her off the whole day, but have still given her the chance to re-charge.

Ithinkitsjustme · 14/05/2012 15:10

I wouldn;t say anything in advance but wouldn't wake her up in the morning. Send her into school as and when she wakes up of her own accord. The school will understand and would probably far rather that she missed the morning but was alert and receptive in the afternoon than half asleep all day (and indeed the rest of the week while she catches up)

conorsrockers · 14/05/2012 15:16

DS1 (9) did this recently. He was fine.
The adrenaline keeps them going cause they're sooooo excited!!!

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 14/05/2012 15:19

If she wakes up easily the following morning I'd send her to school. But if she struggles to wake up I'd call the school and say she's feeling unwell from long day the previous day and will be in after break / lunch time if she feels well enough.