Aibu to think these parents are being unreasonable?

[Nix01]

I don't know the family nor the school but I was quite surprised at the comments (on FB) that the majority believe this boy should get time off school to pursue a sport at such a young age.

www.facebook.com/getsurrey/posts/1071665962861165

I just sign him off sick because I figure that the school's information systems probably don't have a category for children absent due to sporting events

Down here we do. My DS missed at least 6 days in every summer term apart from GCSE year owing to county cricket matches. Every one was counted as authorised because he was playing at representational level.

I have lots of students who have flexi schooling arrangements if they are excelling in a field - I have had students who are in Formula Ford, GB Level Water Polo, Netball, Basketball also lots of students who are in youth football teams who have one day training a week.

We are a sports college so probably why we have such a high level of this occuring, teachers have to provide work to keep them up to date.

Lots of our past students have gone on to do well - olymipians, current GB squads, top league football teams.

As EatShit Derek says its a partnership and if we have any concerns they are raised very quickly.

That comment about swimming is really awful, how is the child meant to feel after being told their passion and talent isn't as important as others? How sad!

I don't think it is unreasonable.

Our daughter has just turned 12,she's quite a good all round athlete and gymnast and whilst she was at primary school even in her last year the school asked us if they could dedicate more time for her athletics and gymnastics which would mean she missed some time in the regular classes.

It hasn't ruined her education at all,she's on par with everyone else with her education but with the sports side she went on to represent her school and our county and helped raise the level of achievements and awards the primary school received.

She's now very heavily involved with athletics and gymnastics at her secondary school and they actively encourage it.

This is a perfect example of why most champion athletes in this country are privately educated.

If the ultimate point of school is to prepare people for a life of work in their chosen career path, I think that time off should be allowed for those who already show an exceptional talent for it.

Agree with whoever said that this is why we don't produce as many outstanding athletes as we could, as the support isn't there. I am in the US and my friend's 13 year old son is a potential Olympic freeskier, has sponsorship for skis etc, and has had issues with the local education authority with the amount of time he has taken off to compete. The school itself is supportive, but the LEA equivalent is only concerned with ticking boxes. He is going to (private) ski school in September so will be fine then!

I think the school abu.

For the reasons others have already said.

Good luck to the boy.

It can be done if the school want to.

My friends DS had his GCSE timetable structured so he could attend his football training one day a week.