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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:
morticia74 · 19/06/2013 16:47

It is not educational.
It is not an appropriate place for a child.
You will be fined.

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:48

Ok yes so I can't pretend that I am taking her for the sake of her education, but she is very arty and from previous experience I know we will spend lots of time in the green fields doing weaving, woodwork, metalwork etc, which is educational. Honestly.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 19/06/2013 16:48

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?

it is a music festival don't try and fancy it up it is a load of crustys in a field being drunk and stoned for a weekend Grin

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:49

Tell that to the parents of the thousands of kids that go morticia! Kids have a great time there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:50

Have you ever been mrsjay?

OP posts:
StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 16:50

Lol @ 'educational experience'. Get real.

If you want to take her then suck it up, do it, and willingly accept any subsequent fines if they come, but please lose the holier than thou 'educational' aspect. The only person you're fooling is yourself.

GingerCurry · 19/06/2013 16:50

I have been to Glastonbury festival many times and worked there in the welfare area. I really don't think its an appropriate place for little ones, and school is much more important.

If at 8 shes been before, shes already had the festival experience and done the craft workshops, drumming, bubble blowing, fairy dressing etc.

Many many youngsters ended up in the lost childrens areas very frightened for overnight stays whilst parents could not be found. Phones dont work, people cant remember where they camped or what their names are. Drinks are spiked and way too many heavy drugs taken to make it a safe child friendly place. Have had to involve police and social workers before too. Sometimes we wondered if it was the parents loosing the kids more than the kids getting lost themselves.

Why not find something she could do age appropriate in the summer hols or weekends? The Big Chill is more child friendly IMO.

usualsuspect · 19/06/2013 16:52

Just take her but be prepared to pay the fine.

mrsjay · 19/06/2013 16:52

Have you ever been mrsjay?

no but been to one similar it is a music festival she could do weaving or whatever at home they school do not need to authorise anything they didn't it is your choice to take her and that is ok to take her if you want, but dont try and wrap it up as culture it is a jolly

mrsjay · 19/06/2013 16:53

I might take DD to T in the Park to soak up the ambience Grin

FunnysInLaJardin · 19/06/2013 16:53

I wouldn't want to take my 7yo DS to a festival tbh. But then you didn't ask that. If you have tickets I would take her anyway, but in future perhaps check it is OK with the school first?

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:54

Gingercurry I have worked at festivals for many years myself and I agree that there is an element of parents who use lost kids as a babysitting service and loose their kids on purpose while they go and get wasted. I have no plans to do that. I have never lost her at a festival, and she will be armed with mobile phone in case she does manage to get lost. She is very sensible and there is a large group of us all in the crew field, who all have kids and will be looking out for each other.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 19/06/2013 16:55

I'd take her - I have taken my 2 out to go to Cornbury twice - the school have been fine with it though as their attendance is 99.9% or there abouts

she is 8 - it's 3 weeks until the end of term - she wont miss anything major x

StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 16:57

Why on earth people post on here when they've made their mind up I don't know. Were we supposed to congratulate you for being so laissez faire and free thinking to be taking your little darling to another festival?

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:58

Mrsjay, Glastonbury is unique in terms of the amount of kids entertainment they lay on. There is a huge kids field, the green kids area, and lots of shows and workshops for kids. I have been to many different uk festivals and none of them come close to being as good for kids as Glastonbury, even the 'family' ones such as camp bestival.

OP posts:
HeySoulSister · 19/06/2013 16:59

Weaving?? 3 days off school to weave what exactly?

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 16:59

Stuntgirl, no not asking for congratulations but more wondering what the implications would be of taking her anyway as I have never had absence refused before. I think that has been answered now. Thanks for posting!

OP posts:
FunnysInLaJardin · 19/06/2013 17:00

actually thinking about taking DS1 to a festival brings me out in a cold sweat. camping is one thing, but festivals entirely another. I wouldn't want him exposed to all that random behaviour. I mean it scares me sometimes so god knows what a child would think

HeySoulSister · 19/06/2013 17:00

It's no longer 'unique' if you drag her out of school every year!!

She's 8.... You going to take her at 11,13,15?

mrsjay · 19/06/2013 17:01

well if it isnt in the school holidays then what can you do either not go our go It is up to you I personally have no problems taking children out of school for a few days if i want to Not that I have done it much in decades of having kids at school but dont try and wrap up a camping trip as educational it is not a music festival is not educational no holiday is really

StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 17:01

You should have taken her to Download. Penis cannons FTW.

mrsjay · 19/06/2013 17:02

nothin will happen you might be fined and your daughters attendance stats will go down do you take her out a lot perhaps that is why they refused you

Original poster
Whippetwarmer · 19/06/2013 17:02

I don't take her out of school every year, due to having dd2 we have missed the last 2 so she was a fair bit younger the last time she went.

OP posts:
morticia74 · 19/06/2013 17:05

Stop justifying yourself. I don't care what you do. But it is still an inappropriate place for a child.

samesizetoes · 19/06/2013 17:05

Glastonbury has a library, kids workshops and even a University on site this year. I'd say that's enough to claim its educational Grin

I say take her, she'd love it. I certainly did at that age and this back in the late eighties when there was only a cinema and circus field to keep us lot kids entertained.