.about asking for a day off school? Prepared to be told I am- genuinely not sure.

[Hakluyt]

Ds is in year 8. Each year has a "reward trip" in the summer term for kids who have done well in all areas of school life during the year. It's quite a big deal- the chosen kids are very proud of their achievement.
What I didn't realise is that they send out more invitations than there are spaces- and I sent the form in too late.
Ds is resigned to it- hasn't made any sort of fuss and was very good about accepting my apologies for not getting my act together.

It occurred to me that if I took him out of school on that day, we could have a family day out- his big sister's finished school already and his dad and I could get time off.

What do people think? Should I put it to the school and see what they say, or just send him to school as usual.

Can you not just do a treat day during the weekend or summer holidays? Why does it have to be during school time?

Sadly, he will have dreadful hay fever that day...

Saving- because the other kids who earned this trip and whose parents got the form in on time will be on an outing that day- it seems a bi mean that he will be just doing an ordinary school day,,,,,,,,,

Yes, I agree Peach, he'll be feeling really rather ill that day and the next, unfortunately...

You can ask but the school will have to say no.

Maybe go out somewhere fab for dinner that day and maybe buy him a little treat?

I think it's a great idea, and I would go ahead and ask. They would be mean to say no.

School won't have a choice but to say no Majestic, op is wasting her time asking.

If it's only a few chosen kids, then presumably most of the year will still be at school? And if it was more invited than spaces chosen, presumably he won't be the only one invited but not going?

It's not as if the entire year group is going on a trip except him. Buy him a treat and go for a family day out at the weekend, or dinner on that day or something.

Just realised I need to take my England flag off my user name. fat lot of good it did

Not taking my flag off! Mn will have to forcibly remove!

How many kids? His entire class?

If most kids still there and it is say 15 across entire school then I kinda think it's tough. School day only. Take out for dinner.

Is any one about why the school sent more invitations than they had places? I get that some wouldn't want to go, but it's a bit unfair on those whose parents (like me ) can't get it together in time.

I agree EmptyNest - like dangling a lovely cake in front of someone then snatching it away with a "Ha! Tough shit, you're not having it."

Mmmmmmmm, cake!
Still, I suppose there is a lesson there. Well done for raising a child who hasn't given you a hard time!

But what if everyone sent the form back on the same day? Would they draw names out of a hat. That is a shit system. I would be asking the school why such a crap system at the same time as telling them I had organised my own trip for DS.

gets arsey

Maybe after school beach then dinner instead. It was just a thought!

I know, it did seem a bit odd to send out more invitations- it would have been better to have a reserve list, IMHO. But that's how it's always been done apparently. It's 32 (out of a year group of 180) so there will be plenty of people still at school. Including his best friend who is not, under any circumstances, likely to win a prize for doing well in all areas of school life!

It is a crap system. If the children have earned a reward, they've earned it, and it shouldn't then depend on who gets their acceptance in first whether they actually get it. I do think that at a later stage you should raise that with the school.

Don't worry- I'm a governor and it's on my list!

A friend of mine is taking her dc out for one day next week, they are yr7 and 10. The school said yes! They are going away on a long weekend. I wouldn't have dreamt of asking, as I thought it would be an automatic no!

Definitely a rubbish system. Either take them all if it has been decided that they have earned it or take none.

If it was me I would just keep him off that day and do something. He can't be going to miss much if school have already planned to take so many off on this trip. And if the school commented I would say that I found the system unfair and that was why I took him for a trip on the same day.

A more reasonable approach might be to take him and his best friend for a trip on a weekend day! I can be reasonable sometimes!

It's only 6/7 per class- so probably only 1 or 2 per set, so I think normal school will be on that day.

I'm more about having a reward trip for only a few students - sorry, think that is a terrible idea that makes me . Even worse that they send out more invites than spaces available and don't make it clear on the form. Sorry if that makes me a grump but there must be much better ways of rewarding some children that do well than with a day off school - the last thing school should be doing is setting up a big reward to be a day off!

But yes, if they think that school doesn't matter for him for a day to go on a jolly reward trip, then it would be pretty hypocritical of them to complain about you taking him to do something nice and rewarding instead.

I'd keep him home that day - it obviously isn't going to be an important learning day at school if they are happy for some children to miss it. The school will have to turn down your request though.

"I'm more about having a reward trip for only a few students - sorry, think that is a terrible idea that makes me "

That's interesting- say more?

So 'all areas of school life' - does it have to include academic achievement? Or can it be kids who try their best, work hard etc etc.

Back to your query - DON'T ask permission. They will no doubt refuse, then any 'illness' on the day would be blatantly made up. Much better to lie through your teeth and not get caught .

Totally shit system OP, hope you can change it as governor.

I'd take him out for the day without a second thought.

He's only going to be missing what he would've missed if you'd got the form in on time.

I wouldn't ask because they'll have to say no, but wouldn't hesitate to ring in sick.

And for context - I have four lovely, conscientious teens. I do the 'right thing' 99.99% of the time but have never noticed any detrimental effects from the very odd 'sod it' decision.