To ask if you’d let your kids miss school in this situation?

[magicbreathing]

If you had had to move very suddenly and didn’t have enough money until the end of the month to get them to school?

(Not my situation, BTW, this isn’t a thread requesting funds.)

I would be home educating for the short time they were off school. However it seems there are bigger problems here. the school is likely to involve other parties if they can't get hold of someone soon seeing as there has been past issues.

Is this an independent school and the Mother doesn't want to lose face by being seen as poor?
Whatever the situation she has a duty to get the kids to school (esp the GCSE one) and should do everything she can to fulfil that obligation.
Most schools do have access to a hardship fund so maybe she needs to swallow her pride and ask if that's an option.

School is 20 miles away from the new home?! I would contact the school and explain the situation. Look at transferring to a more local school.

Bit unfair aloe, not everyone has friends/family they can ask, and the kids wouldn’t WANT to be away from their mum.

Anything dramatic (which is sounds like this is - a sudden move without proper planning as to the kids schooling) is most certainly LG the schools business. Something like this can have untold ramifications on a child’s mental health as well as their attainment in school no matter how you are trying to downplay it. No a week of sickened isn’t the end of the world but if that is missing a vital piece of learning combined with some chaos at home and a child’s mental health and emotional stability being compromised due to that chaos then yes this few days of ‘sickness’ could be the straw that broke the camels back. The. Child may it have the emotional strength to catch up on the missed work as well as keeping afloat with the current work plus dealing with the emotional fall out from the move at home. Just because an adult would be ok with a sudden love doesn’t mean that a teenager will be able to cope as well.

If a child is genuinely unwell you call the school to tell them. If there is any reason they are off for a while a school officer will call round the house.

How do you mean the school wont hold information within the school. are you referring to GIRFEC?

What is the point of this thread??

I've no idea. Any reasonable suggestion has been met with reasons why that would be acceptable or ignored entirely.

Surely it doesn't take a genius to realise children should be in school especially when sitting GCSE's in a few months. However it seems this parent would rather lie and not prioritise their children's education. I just hope these children don't get unwell and need time off and that it doesn't have too greater an impact on the GCSE results of the eldest child.

1. They aren't your children, so it is a pointless post
2. You seem to think it's acceptable to expect a 15 or 16 year old to lie about their whereabouts.
3. You think that lying about the real reason for their absence is reasonable

So why did you post?

Ask the school, they may be able to provide support from their pupil premium funding.

reverse post maybe?

The reasons for the move also may be totally relevant - moving house coz the parents want to get in the catchment for another child starting primary school.l it a parent just fancying a new house or wanting to move closer to work - all things that should have included planning a child’s commute to school with no disruption.
Domestic violence, sudden divorce or a landlord giving notice or a house roof caving in - all unforeseen reasons but equally all things that mean keeping everything Else as normal as possible - school will be this child’s refuge from the events happening at home.

Can you really not ask a question on here?

If she really can't get them there, then she can't get them there. My son is in Year 11 and always had revision material that he can be getting on with, can the older child do that? A child could miss a week with an illness, it doesn't mean they'll fail their GCSEs. It's not ideal but I imagine something serious has happened for this situation to have happened.

You’ll have to tell me what GIRFEC is, sorry, I don’t know.

I am genuinely just asking in a musing, pondering sort of way as you do on a Sunday evening.

Do feel free not to reply.

Of course you can ask a question on here. Just because you don’t like the answers..... don’t throw your toys out the pram.

You asked the question, we all replied to say that your friend is being unreasonable, especially if they expect their children to lie on their behalf. There's your answer. It just may not be the one you were hoping for.

Of course you can ask questions but how is any of this useful when you wont be using the information and advice people are giving you to help the children you are posting about?

I'm out.

If there's no way, then there's no way. I'd probably do something stupid like get a payday loan with horrendous interest. Which is not advisable but it's a WWYD scenario.

I know someone who was moved by SS at v short notice to a new area, nearest schools full, placed in next nearest which should mean entitled to transport but was turned down, so having to appeal. School are sympathetic but can't offer any practical help and SS have closed their case so won't help either. So I wouldn't have great expectations that the school would be able to do anything.

GIRFEC = Getting It Right For Every Child. It's a Scottish government initiative.

@magicbreathing my DS has a health condition which prevents him from attending school, sometimes for a week or more at a time. We have work sent home that he can do if he is able to, he has an amazing form tutor who gives up a lot of her time to help him catch up and both me and DS put in an awful lot of additional work during the healthy times.

This is possible because I'm open and honest with school and accept all help offered. It's extremely difficult for everyone concerned.

the school doesn't keep information inside the school

And nor should they if there are safeguarding concerns. A sudden move 20 miles away and non attendance is a safeguarding concern.

Not at all Brie, but we are starting with the ‘why did you post’

It’s all cool, but I’ve answered, I’m wondering. That’s it. If people don’t like that, well as I’ve said, don’t reply. I don’t mind YABUs

Problem with payday loans is they are often a horrible cycle, I can understand wanting to avoid.

It's really frustrating on threads like these where every single possible solution is immediately rejected.

I can imagine that is difficult today