WIBU to take DC1 out of school for a day?

[NotJohnWick]

DC1 is in y3. No school trips in Reception or Y1 because Covid. Not even the little walk to the supermarket. One trip in Y2. The Y3 trip was abandoned with no replacement as the aquarium isn't an aquarium any more. DC2 is in Y1. I've just signed a consent for his third (really cool) school trip, plus he got the supermarket visit.

DC1 is well behaved, excellent attendance - one day off all year due to weekend vomiting - exceeding expectations in all subjects, and (reasonably) pissed off about the unfairness. WIBU to pull a sickie and take them on an educational day out linked to their school topic? (Of course DC1 loves school and might actually refuse to pull a sickie, I offered it once before when a relative was making a brief visit from overseas and was turned down).

I could have written this!

My DD1 is in year 3 also. They've NEVER had a trip apart from a walk around the estate where their school is. Obviously covid impacted them but every single other year group has gone on a trip apart from them. There are other issues as well but ultimately my daughter's year group are treated like 2nd class citizens at their school and i'm sick of it.

But to answer your question - Yanbu!

I don’t understand why you can’t just take them somewhere on the weekend or a school holiday? Why a school day?
It is also not going to replicate the experience of the school trip because he won’t be with his classmates

Because then DC2 would have to come too, and would take over the experience. Plus DC1 does a full-day activity on a Saturday, and is usually knackered by Sunday. Plus museums etc aren't as rammed during the week as they are at weekends. Plus, the best part of any school trip is getting a day out of the classroom.

Have you thought of mentioning to the school that DC1 is feeling disgruntled that they get less in the way of trips than DC2, and are there any plans for a Y3 trip in the summer term? The school are probably aware that things need evening up, and they may have something planned.

Just do it life is too short if the last few years is anything to go by. I don’t get the angst at all they are only young once so make some positive memories 🤷🏻‍♀️

I completely see your point but I wouldn’t personally. I think it’s the wrong message to send out to your kids that you can take a sickie from school to have fun.

Of course you should. They will absolutely love it. My toddler group is having a school tour type day out in May and I'll take my older two out of school to bring them and so will some other mums with older children . It wouldn't cross my mind not to do it.

I think it is vital that children understand that school attendance is compulsory, not to be missed unless really unwell. Taking days off for anything avoidable is folly.

Yes it would be ridiculous. Use the holidays and weekends. How would it be if all parents did this?

The main reason for lack of school trips is cost. Coaches are expensive and many parents either can't or won't pay.

What do you think would happen if everyone did this?

And lie about it.

It's perfectly reasonable to take this up with the school though.

I’ve put YABU because in don’t really understand why you are using the phrase ‘sickie’ which to me means claiming your child is too unwell to come into school.
this is lying and dangerous territory as your kid needs to lie too.
If you must take him out be honest. Possibly you didn’t mean that by ‘sickie’ though?

YANBU we have and will again. Ds has been around the country to see the football team he supports. Life's to short.

If he's not asked for this then I wouldn't offer it. However, if he did ask then I would do it.

YABU.for saying the best bit of a school trip is getting out of the classroom.

The best bit of a school trip is being with your class outside of the classroom, sitting next to your friend on the bus, seeing who will be sick first, doing stupid worksheets while walking round the museum, eating your lunch in the special area kept for school trips to et their lunch, spending your money in the gift shop without a parent telling you what you can and can't buy, coming back on the bus and laughing at the kids who fall asleep whilst trying not to fall asleep.

You cant replicate any of that so YABU.

If their education hasn't suffered from the days and days of strikes it's hard to see how this isn't different.....

I have a year 3 and a year 1 and they've had almost identical experiences to your children. My eldest really has missed out. To be fair to their school they've tried hard to balance it out and they have an amazing trip coming up but in your case given your child's good attendance I'd go for it.

Oh but I wouldn't lie about where you're going I'd tell the school.

Well don't make your dc lie to the school, no that isn't very fair.
Firstly, talk to the school, tell them that you and dc are both feeling put out by the inequality of the trips. SLT should be making sure all pupils are offered similar experiences.
Then if they are unhelpful tell them that you will be organising a day out and go.
They'll make noises and put it down as unauthorised but if her attendance and attainment are generally good then they won't do much else.
Do try to work with the school first though.

I would but I'm also one of those parents that does term time holidays. It sounds like their attendance is excellent, one day at that age won't make a jot of difference.

It's like that at our school too, my dd's class(year 4) haven't been anywhere for years. They were suppose to go to a panto last november but it was cancelled due to a Wales world cup fotball match! My DS(high school) went to a themepark last year and he's he's been twice to an arts centre for his art class since September. She wonders why she hasn't even been to the park.

As others have said don't lie about it though. We are lucky though, our school is OK with stuff like this as long as attendance is very good.

I think it would be fine to take him out if he would like that. Two things though, firstly I would talk to the school and ask if they could arrange even a small local trip, because going with you will not be the same as a class jolly. Also, be aware that the museum's are not necessarily quiet on a weekday, because they are full of school groups.

Oh take DC1 out. We had a similar situation. And I did exactly that. We had a really wonderful day of 121 time, did some educational stuff and then just a whole day catered to for their age range as opposed to accommodating younger sibling.
School approved it.
It’s a one off treat and will be of value, both educationally and also emotionally and for your relationship together.
Have a lovely time.

Yes I would happily take my child off a day of school to go somewhere, even without the added justification of missed school trips.

If his attendance is generally good and you have checked he won’t be missing anything significant on that day (eg SATS/ a one off activity etc) then I really don’t see there would be any harm.

I wouldn’t pull a sickie though. I’d just tel the school what we are doing. I’ve never had an issue doing that…I think they prefer knowing the truth rather than parents pretending their child’s been ill.