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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the school are really daft to book swimming lessons...

78 replies

HandDriedRoses · 16/01/2019 15:09

At the very end of the school day meaning the kids get back 30 minutes AFTER school ends. Every week.

Meaning that now, as I don't drive, I have to stand in the playground for at least 30 mins with DD waiting for DS class to return.

It's January, freezing. They don't have anywhere parents can wait indoors.

First week they were 10 mins late back.

DD is tired and cold and wants to go home.

It's ok for drivers who can sit in the car with radio on or even go home for 25 mins if close enough.

But AIBU for thinking it's just daft??

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 16/01/2019 15:21

Are you paying for the swimming?

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 16/01/2019 15:21

I'd be annoyed as my DD does other activities outside of school such as dance class which I pay for!

If her school did this I'd never get her to the classes on time!

Original poster
HandDriedRoses · 16/01/2019 15:26

I can't afford £24 a month for her to go afterschool club. I'm on disability benefit

OP posts:
viques · 16/01/2019 15:27

If the LA is anything like the one I used to work at the swimming times were allocated to each school by the pool, so the school could either take the time or the children lost their opportunity (which since it is an expectation that all children be offered lessons was not possible) . HAving said that it seems a bit mean that the school isn't able to offer you anywhere to sit, though bear in mind other after school clubs or after school provision might be using hall spaces, the cleaning staff have to get round their allocated areas and not many teachers would want random parents and younger children in their classrooms unaccompanied.

I think your best bet is to find a friendly face waiting in their car and offer to bring coffee and cake next week.

RiverTam · 16/01/2019 15:29

if the situation is as viques describes then I believe the onus is on the school to provide somewhere for parents to wait indoors for their children.

Original poster
HandDriedRoses · 16/01/2019 15:30

DD just suggested she go to art club afterschool. But then she would be finsihing 30 mins later than DS gets home and I'd be in the same situation again 😂

OP posts:
partinor · 16/01/2019 15:31

I know locally to me there are is physically not enough time for schools to have pupils swimming during the school day. So I would assume they had no choice to do this time, or not offer swimming lessons at all.

Nix32 · 16/01/2019 15:32

This isn't the school's fault. Lessons are allocated by the pool and they won't have been able to book their slot. But yes, not unreasonable to ask for a warm place to wait.

TheOrigFV45 · 16/01/2019 15:32

Would another parent drop DS home for you? Or at least offer to alternate. I know my parent friends would be happy to do this if I asked.
It's sad that the other parents see you waiting with your DD and don't offer to wait in their car.

Failing that, is there somewhere you can go with DD? A short walk, or bring a scooter - make an adventure out of it?

Maybe you can retract your consent for swimming lessons if it just doesn't suit you. Swimming is important but it's not the be all and end all.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 16/01/2019 15:35

@Butterymuffin what she said

user139328237 · 16/01/2019 15:35

Is there another affected parent that lives close by. If so one of you fetch the children finishing at normal time and take them to theirs and the other pick them after swimming drop off at the others house and pick up the sibling.

Knittedfairies · 16/01/2019 15:37

I'd be asking if a classroom could be opened up for waiting parents.

ZogTheOrangeDragon · 16/01/2019 15:38

there's loads of families waiting

Then you need to speak to the head and arrange for the hall or a classroom to be made available. If there are loads of families waiting, then you won’t be the only one needing some warmth.

ALittleCrisp · 16/01/2019 15:38

Is there another affected parent that lives close by. If so one of you fetch the children finishing at normal time and take them to theirs and the other pick them after swimming drop off at the others house and pick up the sibling.

I think that's far too much faff and isn't really the OP's problem. The school have been really inconsiderate here OP!

I would arrange to meet with the head and advise they provide a suitable dry area with refreshments for those left waiting

GoldenSyrupLion · 16/01/2019 15:40

Say you'll pick up DC before swimming.

AWishForWingsThatWork · 16/01/2019 15:41

I would formally inform the school I was removing my child from school swimming lessons if it wasn't sorted (and my child could already swim to a good standard). That's not reasonable.

Fink · 16/01/2019 15:42

There is only one public swimming pool in our borough for nearly 60 state primary schools. Given that I believe swimming is still compulsory in the KS2 curriculum, there's no way they can all have lessons within the school day. We get one term of lessons per child (which is lamentable, but that's another story), so approximately 4 year groups of 60 children each have to have their lessons every school day.

I don't think the problem is with returning 30 minutes late once a week, but with the school not providing any space for you to wait. That's what you need to fight for. The onus should be on them to find a suitable space.

notacooldad · 16/01/2019 15:43

I'm assuming it's just for one term. They should be able to accommodate you all.

RiverTam · 16/01/2019 15:45

in our school swimming in KS2 is a term and a half each year, every year for 4 years. So the school need to find a solution to this problem.

Reastie · 16/01/2019 15:46

Sounds really annoying, it’s not like you can go off for a walk for half an hour as you won’t know how late they’ll be week by week. You definitely need to contact the head to make a room available if it’s a regular thing.

viques · 16/01/2019 15:55

a suitable dry area with refreshments

Refreshments? Come off it. Who is going to source them ,pay for them, set them out, clear up afterwards ? Have you any idea how stretched schools are with staffing and money at the moment?

And most schools will be using their communal spaces for after school clubs and activities.

Purplecatshopaholic · 16/01/2019 15:55

Sounds a bit daft. But couldnt you learn to drive....?

RiverTam · 16/01/2019 15:57

not as daft as that suggestion...

Eliza9917 · 16/01/2019 15:57

Is the after school club in the hall? If it isn't, could you kick up a fuss so you can all wait in there?

BertrandRussell · 16/01/2019 15:58

Yep. Because everyone can afford to learn to drive, buy a car, insure it, tax and maintain it.......