To consider taking my children out of school an hour early once a week so that they can go to a swimming lesson?

[PineNutsAreOverpriced]

Just that really. Year 4 twins and a year 6. Weren’t strong swimmers before lockdown and still aren’t now - although they can mostly stay afloat there is still a lot of doggy paddling going on especially from the younger ones.

Previous swimming teacher has moved away. All local teachers and swimming schools are full up after school for lessons and have waiting lists for “sometime in 2022”

But I could get them into a lesson at 2.30pm during the week, on a day I am not working. I can get them there if I pick up at 2.15pm (school finishes at 3pm)

I think I probably would be unreasonable but am considering this.

School does not provide swimming lessons for the year 4s - there was a week course (one session a day) for my year 6 at the beginning of the year but that will be it for the year.

I’m not sure how the head will react if I ask.

Also, we do take them swimming as a family but can’t seem to get them to take it seriously the way they did with lessons. One has dyspraxia and tends to hang off me in the pool, which doesn’t help the situation.

No, you can’t do this
It’s pretty ridiculous to even consider it to be honest

The head will say no. Imagine if other parents hear about it. Oh I am going to see if I can take little Amy to the museum then or I am going to do the same. Amy needs swim lessons too.

You know school hours are not optional don’t you. And sorry for stating the obvious, but if you have to ask …

Would they even allow this? My kids school only do swimming lessons for 6 weeks in year 4 and last year they didn’t do them so my son didn’t get to do swimming lessons, I was shocked to hear some schools do it from reception?!

Can you do weekend lessons?

Really really no.

It sounds like the one hanging off the edge could do with more time having fun in the pool as a family. Perhaps 2022 wouldn't be so bad?

Being able to swim 25m by yr6 is part of the national curriculum so actually I would argue that you are filling in the gaps in their education just as some children might be educated off site for different reasons.

No, that isn't a viable option.
Can you find an intensive course for a school holiday?
Or see if the swim teacher would do private lessons when you take your kids swimmimg?

I think you could argue it because of corona. You have a good point, OP. At least, give it a go.

Our local swim.school offer 1-2-1 and holiday crash courses as options.
www.superswimacademy.co.uk/kids-swimming-lessons-scarborough/

45 minutes is quite a lot I know someone who picked up at 3pm for a swimming lesson for a year. We finish at 3.25, the kid was academically able though so wasn’t going to fall behind. Our school is quite good about extracurricular stuff and you often see kids being marched out a bit earlier and off to something.

I’m surprised there is a lesson at that time, given most people are aware of school finish times. However, YABU, I can’t see the head agreeing either.

@Cattitudes - That is the line of thinking I was heading along too!

The rest of you, I think I know you are right and it wouldn’t be the right thing to do, I was just hoping I’d be told otherwise so I could justify it as it’s worrying me. We live by the sea and even in the summer I panic when they go to the beach with friends and other families, as most of their friends can swim well. Or if we are at the beach it is really hard for me to watch all three at once so we have to stay right by the edge.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon and @Scarby9

• I have been looking for months - asking if there are weekend lessons or intensive courses, offering to pay for 3-1 or even 1-1 lessons outside of the main groups.. there seems to be a shortage or swimming teachers in our area

Before people ask - reasons I have seen authorised absence for - specialist dyslexia support two mornings a week off site, being in productions, going on first communion trip (under religious observance), taking part in county sports. Obviously the head might refuse but there is no harm in asking.

Well they are your children so the school can't really stop you

They won't. Apart from the fact that they just won't, you'd be asking them to admit in writing that their provision of swimming lessons, as required by the National Curriculum, is not adequate.

I guess there's no harm in asking. The worst that can happen is they judge you a bit, and that's worth sucking up if you feel strongly that it's in your children's best interests.

I work in a school and this would be an absolute no! I can't believe you're considering it, tbh.

I don't see anything wrong with this. Just inform the head that you are flexi-schooling them (it's a thing!). Swimming lessons are important, it's not like you're taking them to McDonald's every week.

Thanks @teleskopregel

@Woeismethischristmas - I could ask the school, they are generally really good and were really supportive of all families during lockdown and still are.

I don’t want them to miss anything important near the end of the day though. They are all academically able and well ahead expectation wise, if that makes a difference

@ChrissyPlummer - I think those time slots are usually for younger ones, mine used to go when in pre-school, although the home Ed kids could also go anytime I suppose

YABU. They need to be in school; that’s far more important.

I really wouldn’t.

I mean imagine every year 6 child was pulled out an hour early once a week for something their parents considered important. How would the teachers balance this? Will you be happy if your child misses important messages or homework or will you expect the teacher to make this up on other days?

I support flexi-schooling, if you’re off work that day I’d suggest taking the whole day for flexi-schooling, maybe throw in some first-aid in the mornings and a bit of National curriculum in between. Whatever your kids are weakest on in school.

Well swimming lessons will be fantastic for your child with dyspraxia so there's that but otherwise nope. Though personally I would prioritise my children's swimming lessons over school subjects as we, like you, live near the sea. But where I am it's normal for children to be swimming 1000m by age 8.

I would wait until a holiday or half term and try to sort it over that. Perhaps ask a friend or relative for help if you think they’ll mess about too much with you.

i think the answer is to ask....not in a combative way ("filling in for your crap syllabus") but in a reasonable "I see this unfortunate gap in your provision and would like to rectify it for my kids" way.