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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask school if being late just this one time could be changed on the register?

220 replies

Kimmykimkim36 · 05/12/2019 07:12

My son (7) has always had 100% attendance and punctuality at school. He also knows that at the end of term he gets a gold 100% badge and a certificate. He loves this!
I've been sick for the past 2 days and a lovely parent from school offered to bring him in, except on one of those days they got in around 5-10 mins late due to being stuck in traffic. AIBU to ask if this one episode of lateness could be changed on the register? He was so excited to be nearing the end of term, knowing he had been in on time everyday, but this one day of being late changes everything.

OP posts:
Phineyj · 05/12/2019 07:14

I doubt it. It's a legal record, not a Cubs badge! Seriously, don't ask.

Tink88 · 05/12/2019 07:14

Yabu he was late

Trews2019 · 05/12/2019 07:15

Shit happens.

JoyceDivision · 05/12/2019 07:15

No they can't: he was late, reason irrelevant.

You are asking them to falsify a legal record.

Whynotnowbaby · 05/12/2019 07:16

The school cannot falsify their records, having said that, I have known schools to overlook a single episode of lateness - after all it’s about encouraging the children. I do hate rewards for being lucky enough not to be ill though!

GreySheep · 05/12/2019 07:17

Sorry but he WAS late. You want school to falsify records so that he gets an award. That’s not ok and very unfair to other children who miss out for one late too.

Tinnedpeachesandcream · 05/12/2019 07:18

As others have said it’s a legal document so they’re not allowed to change it.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 05/12/2019 07:18

Home on Earth has your child never had a day off sick?? (Misses point)

Lougle · 05/12/2019 07:18

No, of course not. If he was late, he was late. It's life.

DryHeaving · 05/12/2019 07:21

With the best will in the world they can't change it.

DippyAvocado · 05/12/2019 07:22

There are usually two categories of lateness - one after official school starting time and one after registers have closed. In my school there is a different late mark for arriving after school starts at 8.55 but before the register closes at 9.25. Not sure how it will work for attendance certificates though - might just apply if EWO is involved.

BentBastard · 05/12/2019 07:24

I think your son will be better served learning you can't win every single time. He was late. I'm sure lots of lateness is not the fault of the child in question.

ElfByHimself · 05/12/2019 07:24

They can't change it but maybe will overlook it so he gets the reward.

My dd missed out on similar because she got sent home for looking pale Confused

I think the attendance awards are unfair really as some things can't be avoided.

PianoTuner567 · 05/12/2019 07:25

turkeysoup neither of mine had a day off sick the whole of last year. They weren’t ever ill enough. I don’t know why, it’s not like they eat their fucking vegetables Angry

lastqueenofscotland · 05/12/2019 07:26

YABU and you would definitely be THAT parent if you asked

PotteringAlong · 05/12/2019 07:30

But he was late Confused

You cannot ask them to change a legal record.

Yika · 05/12/2019 07:32

If you're going to ask for something, ask them to abolish the stupid and unfair reward for punctuality and attendance instead, which rewards / punishes children for something beyond their control.

mummymayhem18 · 05/12/2019 07:33

Don't be silly. He was late so of course it can't be changed.

emerencemaybehopeful · 05/12/2019 07:33

You should be asking the school to stop rewarding children for something they can't control.

Perfect attendance and arriving on time is not award worthy.

FreeStar · 05/12/2019 07:33

Don't be stupid! Why on earth would a child be 'excited' to not have any late marks? So strange. He should have more important things to think about. I can't imagine how having one late mark is of any significance or consequence to a 7 year old!

GiveHerHellFromUs · 05/12/2019 07:34

YABU.

Are you also the kind of parent who sends him to school when he's poorly under the guise of 'he doesn't want to miss out on the award'?

fitzbilly · 05/12/2019 07:35

He was late. He doesn't deserve any medal. Unless the school change the records for all the children.

Coulddowithanap · 05/12/2019 07:35

He was late though?

@DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn some children are lucky and don't seem to pick up bugs. Mine have had a few good years but then the odd year they caught every bug going round!

Echobelly · 05/12/2019 07:36

I think kids do need to learn that sometimes life isn't fair, and parents can't fix everything for them.

LittleOne61 · 05/12/2019 07:36

As a form tutor we regularly get emails saying the traffic has been bad / there's been an accident so don't mark the students as late...

I don't think the year team would bat an eyelid at the request. They'd rather keep good kids motivated.

Worth a shot!