To ring DS s school on Monday to say he is being educated off site?

[dimplebum]

DS has started school full time, he is really struggling with it at the moment although I know it's early days!

On Monday DH and I have both got a rare day off together and would to take both our DSs 4 and 1 somewhere for the day. I was thinking the zoo, or a museum?

I thought it would also be a nice break and a rare reward for DS who is trying his best to be a big boy at big school!

But what do I tell school, I can't say he s sick and expect DS to lie? Shall I say he is being educated off site?

I don't think the fact your child is struggling with stamina at the beginning of starting school is all that relevant. He'll build up the stamina.

If he's settling in fine emotionally and it's just tiredness then I don't think a break in routine by making the school week a day shorter once in a blue moon will matter (if it did, there should be uproar over bank holidays and inset days). If he's having trouble with other aspects, like making friends, it might be a bigger deal though.

I do think the opportunity of a day out as a whole family is a big deal if you don't have weekends. I would jump at it in your situation OP. I don't think you should try and make out it's some huge educational opportunity for your DS. Just tell your school the real reason - a very rare opportunity to be together as a family.

So, he doesn´t need to start until 5.

But he has started-so doesn´t that mean that there is a responsibility to send him in?

Or take him out of school completely & send him when older.

Bully for you - my DH is a Professor in a Top 10 university and he has colleagues who wouldn't know common sense if it bit them on the arse - I don't see your point.

Why don't you re-read the post again, then, Euphemia? It was a direct response to this (as should have been clear):

I honestly don't know where to start with this. Absolutely disgraceful attitude. How did we get ourselves to this situation where schools, education and teachers are so poorly regarded? Don't you feel that you should do something to change the education system as you think so little of it? Maybe you could run one of Mr Gove's free schools?
You asked about my lack of respect for teachers and schools. You suggested I get involved in the education system. I was replying to say that I was a teacher and already worked in the education system.

Claiming that anyone who has a different position to your own must not value education, or implying that they are somehow less concerned or knowledgable about their child's intellectual development, is a bit crap. Doing it as rudely as you have is a bit tacky.

And yes, of course he is..

I wouldn't have taken mine out so early on after them starting and I am not sure that I would do this even now just for going to the zoo which you could do any time if your DH took a day off at the weekends.

I am taking DS (6) out on the last day of this term as we are going to Lapland and its the only day it flies out that week but I always use inset days/school holidays for day trips. I will not lie on the form as that could cause issues if they asked DS.

If your DS is struggling I would say it is more important for him to be at school as much as possible this half term and maybe take him next time you have a day off together. My DS (4) is behaving exactly the same and he is used to 4 whole days at pre-school but we knew he would be really tired this first few weeks but the more he goes I would hope the better he gets.

Before they are 5 they do not legally have to go to school so you don't have to lie to take him out. I wouldn't mention you are doing it because he is so tired as that applies to every child just starting - a family day is fine to put down in this situation.