to take ds yr6 out of school for the summer term?

[ingeniousidiot]

We've talked about it for months, spoken to his teachers, school governors and a couple of people that work in that sort of area. We've spoken to him about it, he want's to do school work at home. He's due back tomorrow, I've just rung the LEA to speak to the Education Welfare, got put on hold and put the phone down.

Of course not! I think it's going to be increasingly common amongst those who can. We're hoping to (or maybe for all of yr6) but we're fairly pro homeschooling anyway. Give them some fab experiences before secondary.

I don't understand? Why are people taking their children out in year 6?

SATs?

Ds is beside himself about bloody SATs. I'd take him out, but I don't think I'd ever get him back in to a school.

Although maybe he will experience great things, won't he miss out on the whole transition into secondary school? Its hard enough for any child to transition from primary to secondary however after missing the whole summer term won't it be harder?

No way. SATS aside it's the best term in their school career, major residential trip, leaving celebrations and parties, sports day, extra responsibilities running the school summer fair, last school disco, my DS would have been absolutely distraught to have missed it (last year). We considered it briefly for reasons to do with his SENs and he was totally, utterly against it. He had an amazing summer.

He'll still do the transition days, see his friends out of school, do sports etc etc. He's worried that he doesn't know enough to go to secondary - his teacher helpfully told them if they feel their exams they'll go into the bottom sets and be bullied by thugs. Yeah bloody great, thanks for that one.

After sats they devote much of the remaining time to the school play which doesn't particularly interest him - I've stressed that he'll miss his friends and fun time, but he seems ok with this at the moment.

I am considering taking my dd out next year, she has ASD and has been refused a place in sn school, the thought of putting her through year 6 fills me with dread, the SAT's ( revision, practice papers and the actual tests ), all the end of school things such as parties, residential trips and concerts ( all the things she hates ), yes for some kids it's the best year at primary but not for all.

Do what's best for your ds, you know him better than anyone, ask him what he wants to do.

I think as parents our attitude can help the children a lot with SATS. My son knows I want him to try his best at school, but that the SATS don't matter a jot to me and he must not stress as I'm not worried and he shouldnt either. He suffers from anxiety and is pretty calm (touch wood) about them as he knows there's no pressure from home. I think school have also been pretty good and explained to the kids that the expectations for them (given the new standards) are unrealistic and they should all just do their best. I think it would be a shame to take a child out if they were then going to go to secondary school anyway. It could be unnecessarily disruptive.

his teacher helpfully told them if they feel their exams they'll go into the bottom sets and be bullied by thugs. Yeah bloody great, thanks for that one.

Did you put in a formal complaint about that one? I'd have had their head.

They've already done the residential, he's hypermobile so sports day is difficult but he's already done (very well in) the swimming gala that he loves. The school isn't doing a disco, but the parents (ironically i'm one of them) are organising an out of school leavers party.

I need to check that his secondary school place will still be available, but on hold then cut off this time - shouldn't have bottled it first time around.

Not a formal complaint, no. But did speak to head and teacher about it - as did others.

Are you in England? It won't affect his secondary school place at all. You are de registering him from the Primary school.

Also if I could I would do the same. Son is really looking forward to all the after SATs stuff unfortunately.

Yes we are - that is my main concern - brilliant, thank you. Am still on hold, wondering if a lot of parents are doing it today?

Yanbu. I would do this with a child that age. He can have a really enriching summer without the stress and hassle of SATs which won't benefit him in the slightest.

I'd like to do this but DS has an EHC plan and I've been given the impression of i take him out and de-register, he'd lose this and subsequently his place at special school for September.
It was not easy securing that so I'm obviously apprehensive about losing all that.
But already he is miserable. No SATS pressure at home, but school is insane 😔

My dd missed the last term of year six because we were moving. She was sad but as soon as she left, she didn't think about it at all. She was doing other things and her life moved on.

I honestly think if I'd said to her 'are you upset you missed the graduation disco?' She'd be baffled. Primary school is their whole world when they are there every day but they get over it pretty quick in my experience!

Something I've considered - may still do so!!

Lauranne, give SOSSEN a ring, they're usually very helpful about things like this.

Is this actually a thing? Wow.

Kids should be at school. And you certainly shouldn't be listening to an 11yo telling you he wants to skip school. Sheesh. It's everything that's mad about 'modern parenting'. You're not being 'cool'.

Go to school. Do the SATs as well as you can. Chill out.

My DS has been ignored at school - he's quiet and well mannered - his classmates are loud bolshy and some have a variety of anger issues chair throwing swearing fighting etc -

It only gets worse -

He could learn more at home (10 mins one to one is worth an hour in school)

So why not?

when my yr 10 and yr9 DC were doing their SATs, there was very little,pressure on them.
This year, since starting in yr6, and before if I'm being honest, the pressure is huge.
Ds2 has ASD, he is crumbling under the pressure.
More DC are suffering mentally. If parents can do anything to alleviate this stress, good on them.
Take him out, chill out!

And you certainly shouldn't be listening to an 11yo telling you he wants to skip school.

Home Educating your child is not letting them skip school. It's not compulsory to go to school, just to get an education.

I can tell that RealityCheque doesn't have a child in Y6 this year. They have raised the bar on SATs putting far too much pressure on kids and schools. It is insane and I hate it.

Home educating in the UK is a viable option and a time honoured one. All you have to do is de-register from school. That's it. You are now home schooling. I do think that if I could home school then son could get so much more out of it this term. But I have to work.