To ask for experiences around school absence for family funeral?

[YennefersDress]

My last grandparent has just died, and we now have a date for the funeral.

My own DC are 7 and 9 and I want them to attend the funeral which is obviously on a schoolday.

I just wanted to ask for others experience in requesting a days absence for a family funeral. Is this likely to be granted by the school without too much trouble? I've no idea on the likelihood- I've never had to request absence in the past.

TIA

Our LA only starts the fining process if 5 days worth of absences (10 sessions) in a row are recorded. I think!

School probably don't want to be dealing with paperwork for the odd day.

I've taken mine out for various things I've the years, funerals and occasional holiday and always tell the school but never ask!

i wouldn't care if there was a fine.
just do what's right for you and your family.
your children are not prisoners in custody.
this modern attitude in uk is nuts.

I'm sorry for your loss.
This year my children have unfortunately had to attend the funeral of their Great-Grandad and their Grandad within months of each other. Both days were approved by the school without question, although I would have taken them regardless!

My MIL and FIL died within 6 months of each other. I just emailed the school and told them the kids wouldn’t be in thet day. Absence was authorised.

@HermioneWeasley that's unusual my children were given an authorised to go away and scatter their grandma. What an awful school your children were in

I took the approach of

'Dear Mrs X, DS will be attending the funeral of a close family member on Tuesday afternoon. I will collect him at 12.30pm. He will return to school, the following morning. Kind regards.

On such rare occasions, I have no intention of getting into a discussion. My decision, not theirs and I don't expect them to be so ill mannered as to interfere.

The school didn't object.

Of course, school won’t refuse a funeral

I've only ever once had a discussion with teachers about taking my children out of school, and that was when I was taking ds1 to South Africa for three weeks (a week either side of a half term break). Fortunately they were very enthusiastic about the idea.

Everything else- funeral, consultants' appointments, physiotherapy etc- I've just notified them in advance, by email.

For a funeral they will understand

It's never occurred to me to ask permission for a family funeral, I've just let school know. Nothing has been said!

We took DS out of secondary for memorial service for Grandparent - actual funeral service was in school holiday - school authorised it as leave

My kids had 2 days off to bury their daddy. School was fine with it.

They can't fine for less than 5 days. They may or may not mark it unauthorised but even if they do they won't do anything if attendance is otherwise good.

I work in attendance and yes we would authorise that.

💐

Ours refuse anything other than parent, grandparent or sibling. Won't authorise aunts/uncles/cousins etc.

Even for grandparents/parents/sibling they only authorise the minimum possible

It is no problem in my experience.

I didn't seek permission to take my DS (age 12) out for the funeral of a grandparent - I just told the school the reason why he would be absent that day (the whole day as not local). I'm a teacher and it didn't occur to me to 'ask permission' in this instance and I would've been beyond surprised if it was an issue (it wasn't).

I would never question the nature of relationship when time requested for a funeral

Thanks all, I was going to take them out no matter what but didn't want to risk a fine- I can't bloody afford it and would refuse as don't agree with fines anyway. But was wondering whether to say that they had a bug that day. I think I'll just tell them they won't be in school due to great grandparent funeral that day.

It will be granted absolutely no questions asked

This is shocking. I'd literally tell the school to get fucked.

I work in a primary school and we always grant permission for family funerals.

Sorry for your loss OP.

I took DD out for her great-grandmother’s funeral a few years ago. I just wrote a note to the class teacher and explained that DD would be absent that day as she’s attending her great grandmother’s funeral. Wasn’t a problem.

I would think it’s very harsh and very wrong if they considered that an unauthorised absence. Also you’re not requesting it, you’re informing them. You shouldn’t need their permission for your DC to go to a relatives funeral.

💐

It’s appalling

@YennefersDress no fine, just marked as unauthorised. I think they have to be off for a full week for a fine