To think that small children don't actually need police to tell them not to be late to school?

[Brittapie]

Just took DD1 (6yo) to school 3 minutes late (I know, I know, there are good reasons in this case but that's not the point of the thread) and spent another five minutes waiting and getting told off by some kind of police/pcso and some random high vis jacket woman before being allowed in. Poor DD1 was really scared and DD2 was late for nursery (not before telling me to tell the nasty police lady off )

AIBU to think that is ridiculously heavy handed? We've not had so much as a mention in the newsletter or anything to persuade chronic late families, and it's not like small children can even choose what time they set off.

I know children should be at school on time, she usually is, but I messed up here. I know I did. I had them both up and down all night (I don't know why), I'm full of fairly heavy duty medication at the moment and they both wet the bed so I needed extra time to get them cleaned up, and DD2 had one of her mega tantrums too. I know I should have left extra time and woke them up early, but I didn't, I was wrong.

But I am now shaking (I have bad experiences that make me really scared of police) and both my children started school even later and more stressed than they were. I understand they need to do something, but this is silly.

(I also told them off for saying compulsory school age, instead of education, but that is because we are an ex HE family and I was annoyed...)

How bizarre. Yes I would be complaining about that. Is there a really high level of repeat offenders at your school? It is very heavy handed.

If they have to tell you off

It is not the place of the Police in this country to tell people off if their kids are slightly late for school.
Being late for school is not a criminal offence.

I suspect a PCOS was there to deal with parking (they popped up every term or so at our school and their presence was welcome in that regard) and the woman in the hi-vis was maybe a receptionist or something who took it upon herself to administer a telling off, which the PCOS then joined in with our last receptionist would have loved to have this power Which is still absolutely not on and a terrible use of police resources, but could explain why the PCOS was there?

Reply from the police: (obviously identifying details taken out)

Hello BrittaPie,

It appears this is a joint undertaking with the school, and they were fully aware of the visit. I have passed your email to PC xxx who attended. She will be contacting you shortly.

Your feedback is important to the Constabulary to ensure we provide the best service possible. Should you wish to comment on the staff who have dealt with you or the service you have received please click on the following link: www.lancashire.police.uk/contact-us/rateourservice

Thank you
xxxxxxxxxx
Customer Services Department
Lancashire Constabulary HQ

So it was real police.

I would email back to say that you don't want to speak to PC xxx as you have already had one unwanted contact with her today, you want to complain about her not to her.

Dear oh dear!!! That is absolutely mad! How could they NOT realise that parents and children would be intimidated by that heavy handed approach....being told off by a policeman for being a few mins late for school?! Anyway, as far as the policeman/woman knew you could have already have agreed this with the school, you might have had an early Drs appt etc.

It's crazy anyway and I'm so glad that you challenged them about it. My Dd would've been really upset about this too as would I.

Good idea lizzzzyyliveson, I would too.

I think I'd wait and see what the PC has to say. If you complain without full information, it may be less effective.

Yeah, I'm thinking collect all information (by email so I have it in writing) first. THEN kick off.

Is this why every morning DS is panicking that we're going to be late?

:(

He's in year 6 so I only walk him 2/3rds of the way there and don't know what goes on when he gets there or what they're saying.

But every morning now he's stressing about being late. He never is.

Totally OTT
Why don't they go and solve crime. Waste of time and resources.

It could well be :-(

The police woman was the one holding the list of names. It was a class list, so we had to say what class she is in and then give her name and she was ticked off.

This is dreadful, OP.

I quite liked it when a PCSO turned up and admonished a minority of parents for not wearing a seatbelt, or not having their kids properly strapped in, in the adjacent carpark as they arrived, but this is totally different! Lost for words.

What the actual fucking fuck?! I can't believe this. I mean I do believe you, Britta, but this is outrageous.
This, along with the "led to believe you were on holiday" school absence thread, is fucking terrifying.

I seriously think we all have a duty not to be brow-beaten by this sort of stuff. This is an incredible culture-change in this country and not for the better.

Whatever legalese-buttressed, icily confident arsiness we as parents can muster against this, the better.

Our school has warned that, given the recurring problems with lateness, the attendance officer will be at school one morning this week. That was presumably who your lady in the high vis was. Perhaps experience has led them to believe that some parents kick off, so that's why they do it in partnership with the local constabulary.

I wouldn't have a problem with it. If parents are ignoring the schools attempts to stop latecomers from disrupting classes, maybe some of them are more likely to take it seriously from a PC. Presumably it was a one off, not something done every morning, and was just a talking to so I don't really see why it would drive habitual latecomers to truancy.

Write to your MP and say that a good way to save some money in your district is to make some police redundant. Clearly there's no crime, and the police force is wildly overstaffed, so getting rid of some deadwood wouldn't do any harm and the money could be spent on something useful.

If the police have told off a six year old without an appropriate adult being present, they've committed a disciplinary offence. Report them for it.

If they had a class list, then the school must have been actively involved.

You need to find out whose idea it was.

Ridiculous. If we are late, (which has happened on occasion in 2.5 years) I am always heard to say. "Say sorry to Mrs X, it was mummy's fault." I'm responsible for setting the alarm and driving the bloody car, tell me off." I pre-empt it so that my son isn't meant to feel guilty for my failure.
I think I would have had words with the PCOS (although I understand why you didn't.) Have never been impressed with them TBF.