AIBU to keep DD off school for PGL week?

[cingolimama]

Genuine AIBU here and would appreciate any advice from any parents who may have been in a similar position.

DD is in Y6 and in June there is a week-long PGL trip that almost all her classmates will be going on but DD will not attend (she's happy with not going) for various good reasons. There are only two other children not going. When I asked what they will be doing that week, I was told there's no special provision for the ones left behind, and that they'll probably just "help out with the younger ones".

I'm really not happy with this. It would be okay for a day, but all week? I'd rather DD just stayed home - she could relax, read, practise her instruments, go swimming, etc. would would serve her better and be less boring. I have never ever asked for time off before, but I'm really considering it now.

Thoughts?

I would write to the school and state that you will be educating your child at home for that week, and that you will ensure she experienced a variety of activities just as she would if she were on the school trip. It's a lot harder for them to fine you if you characterise what you're doing as 'educating otherwise than at school' and reading, swimming and practicing musical instruments would certainly qualify. They don't have to agree, but it makes it easier for them to do so if they're so inclined. And if they don't agree, just send her in on the Wednesday!!

It's the school who will be deciding how to record her absence, not the LEA.

Handsome, do I really need to demonstrate this? It's not compulsory to attend residentials. FWIW, here are our reasons:

1. Cost. Bloody expensive at almost £400. This is a state school btw.
2. DD has major music exam in the summer term, coming up just after PGL week. She would not be able to take her instrument with her, and would therefore miss a week's worth of practise.
3. She's been away on residentials before and had a great time. But DD really didn't like the sound of PGL. She's not a sporty type of girl. Also, she's had some problems with a few girls (not bullying, more low-level nastiness) and doesn't want to be in forced contact with them. I have repeatedly asked and asked again "are you sure you don't want to go?". It's always emphatically no.

Our school actively encourages attendance at the year 6 PGL trip. We've had 100% attendance 3 years running.

It's never occured to me that some kids and parents don't want to go.

Million - but isn't it the LEA who decides to fine?

£400 IS expensive !! Ours was only £140 this year ! Plus if you are entitled to free school meals the school paid a percentage and you only had to pay £38 !

Bendy, the school can encourage attendance, but can't enforce attendance.

There's all kinds of reasons why some kids don't go: cultural/religious reasons, SN issues, conflict with a previous committment, and yes, personal preference.

In our school we've never had 100% attendance.

Depends how the school records the absence. They could choose to log it as a code (I believe it's B) for 'educated offsite' and then it wouldn't trigger any action from the LA. Equally they could exceptionally authorise the absence. Or they could agree that she can be collected after the afternoon registration every day to have the afternoons at home. Or they may be able to suggest other ways to work together to resolve your concerns.

My son was flexischooled (at home) for 1-2 days a week for a term and a half last year, against the policy of the LA. Head teachers have a lot of leeway if they choose to use it.

I'm not surprised at 400 quid !

have a good week

Bendy - yours was £140!! That sounds so much more reasonable and do-able. I bet they still had a great time, too. The cost at our school has put quite a few families in a difficult position, especially if they are on a low income and don't quite qualify for FSM.

Thanks bendy!

What are the reasons? Is it too expensive?

I used to work at PGL as an activity instructor, as well as going on many of their holidays as a child, and it really is an excellent experience for children and provides them with different learning experiences.

Fortified, see above.

400 Quid bloody hell that's steep anyway if you want to keep her off just tell school that's what you are doing

our school takes a dim view of those not going on the trip

Bloody cheek. School residentials are OPTIONAL. Some people can't afford them or have other reasons why their child isn't going.

Several kids in DS's class (now Y6, then Y5) didn't do their PGL resi. DS did and loved it but I can totally understand why some kids wouldn't want to do it. (ours cost £270 for reference, for 3 nights/4 days).

Apparently they had a lovely time. DS isn't going on the Y6 trip (London) so we are pondering what will happen - 7 kids not going. If the school don't sort something good out for them to do then I will take him out and do something fun - maybe invite some of the others too. As its post the dreaded assessments I think it's unlikely much objection would be raised, especially if you did it under the guise of "educated otherwise"

Our school is the same.

If they don't go, they just 'help out the wee ones'.

For a whole bloody week

Sheer laziness on the part of the School.
Supposed to be providing them with education for that week...

When my two didn't go on trips, the school was clear that they went in. Yes, they might be helping out occasionally with younger ones, but really, the teachers should set age appropriate work that correlates to what they're doing on their week.

Although saying that, PGL isn't really an academic school trip so perhaps they won't mind you keeping her off. Depends on the school I guess.

I wasn't asking you to justify it to me, op. I was suggesting that if you had solid grounds for not sending her, that this might help your case.

But wherever

When I was in year 5 most of the class went on a week long residential and the few of us who didn't go were split into other classrooms to sit by ourselves and work on individual projects and also we spent a lot of time helping out in the Reception class - was one of the best weeks of Primary school! Loved helping out with the little ones (and ended up doing quite often for the rest of the school year too) and doing my own project (making a booklet all about aeroplanes, did research in the library etc.)

When I was in year 6 my class went on a PGL type trip and I didn't go because it was too expensive. I got to spend the week with year 4 doing year 4 work and it was really miserable. When I complained to the teacher I was told I "should have gone on the trip"

I would take her out, maybe put a spin on it with the musical instrument (say she's going to a special lesson in London or something). You can take children out of school for educational purposes, an example of this is that Bearded Theory Festival run a school on the Friday with a curriculum that can be sent to the school and a lot of schools then let the children have the day off!