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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take dd out of school when they have said no?

69 replies

Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:16

I'm going to Glastonbury next week and asked the school if dd could have 3 days off to come with me. They have said no. I got sent a really general letter with a long list of possible reasons as to why the headmaster had made the decision, but I can't see that any of them really apply.

The school recently put a note in the newsletter that they are being watched as there is general poor attendance across the school, so they are really cracking down on anyone having time off. My dd has had the odd day off for illness but her attendance has generally been pretty good.

Tempted to just say bugger it and take her anyway. AIBU?

OP posts:
PatPig · 19/06/2013 16:17

How old is she?

KellyElly · 19/06/2013 16:17

Did they say no or mark it down as an unauthorised absence?

Whogivesashit · 19/06/2013 16:20

It's only for three days and it's four weeks until the summer holiday's, so yes I don't see why not.

claraschu · 19/06/2013 16:20

The lesson here is always lie and call in sick.

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:20

She is 8.

They sent a letter saying no and warning that if I did take her out it would be unauthorised absence and I may get a fine.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 19/06/2013 16:21

in that case you either do not go or phone in sick

KobayashiMaru · 19/06/2013 16:22

your kid, do what you like.I would.

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:22

Wondering whether its worth going and speaking to the headmaster and begging.

OP posts:
Orianne · 19/06/2013 16:24

Just take her and have a great time

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:24

Hmm don't think I would have the gall to phone in sick as it would be pretty obvious what is going on! I think that's likely to piss them off more than just not turning up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:25

What's the worst that can happen? Do people really get fined?

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 19/06/2013 16:28

Why is Glastonbury more important than school?

It's not an educational experience, so of course the school will say no, whatever its attendance levels are.

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:30

I think it is an educational experience, dd would get to participate in loads of craft workshops, and see lots of amazing performances which would surely class as culture?

OP posts:
englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 16:32

If I ruled the world I would ban term time festivals.
One of my best friends is playing with his band at Glastonbury for the second time. I will not be going as even if he got me a ticket, I am a teacher and I have no doubt parents would complain (rightly) if their child's teacher wasn't there because of Glastonbury. School comes first.
Also, I'm not entirely sure festivals are a sensible place to take children. Far too many drunk/stoned idiots.

burberryqueen · 19/06/2013 16:34

i do agree with english teacher why take your child to a shantytown full of drunks and stoners and ketamine heads for fun?

picnicbasketcase · 19/06/2013 16:34

It's quite unfair that if the other pupils are having too much time off, ones with good attendance are being punished by missing out. I would first try to reason with the head but if that doesn't work, take her anyway. If you can afford the fine, obviously.

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:37

Yes it can be like that in certain areas but the kids' field is amazing, and the green fields have loads of great craft workshops. I have taken her several times before and just have a different type of festival than I would without her. I don't take her to the front of stages or drag her around at 2am.

OP posts:
halcyondays · 19/06/2013 16:39

I would just write and note saying she will be out of school from such and such date to such and such and take her. A few days wont harm her education, the school is thinking about its attendance figures. I wouldnt phone in sick because I don't think it's right to lie about itand they will know you're lying because you'd already asked if she could have the time off.

Tincletoes · 19/06/2013 16:40

I don't get the angst tbh. Why would or should school approve something like that? Bollocks will it be educational.

I don't doubt it will be amazing fun and am not saying don't take her, but don't pretend it's educational and I wouldn't bother trying to plead your case with school. Schools are under loads of pressure about absence and this is hardly "exceptional". Just go if you want but don't complain that it's not "authorised".

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 16:41

I only go to folk festivals (small ones) now as I find I need my sleep. Is there separate family camping? I stopped camping at V in 2005 due to loud drunken people clearly needing no sleep.

CloudsAndTrees · 19/06/2013 16:44

She's your child, do what you want to do. But you do risk a fine, and it's understandable that the school won't authorise absence for a trip to a music festival.

You are kidding yourself if you think it will be educational. It will be enjoyable, but she is unlikely to do anything that couldn't be done in school holiday time, therefore there is no good reason to authorise it.

WorraLiberty · 19/06/2013 16:44

If you're determined to take her then just pay the fine

But please don't try to convince yourself it's an 'educational experience'

It's a festival and her education wont suffer because she didn't to it

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:44

There is family camping there but I have a caravan in a very quiet area of a crew camping field, which is a lot more secure than public camping areas.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 19/06/2013 16:46

In fact you could describe anything as an educational experience if you put your mind to it.

Like having a shit for example...

mrsjay · 19/06/2013 16:47

they can't stop you taking her you have asked for an authorised they have refused this you can just take her and she will be marked off just take her schools don't need to authorise any holiday and it is a holiday in term time,