Help me write appropriate response?

[MonstersIncluded]

Taking kids out of school next month for a holiday. I know it’s frowned upon, but it was much cheaper than going during holidays, and I’m a single mum, so it’s then or not at all. Popped into the office to collect a form and the receptionist ripped me a new one. Kept going on about how important it was to have them in school, how they’ve missed enough with covid and shouldn’t be missing more just for a bit of sun. How it’ll be unauthorised and I’ll be fined. I was so shocked I just stood there and took it.

Got home, had a rant and then saw an email from the school saying that there’s going to be more strikes and both kids will be off for both days. Now I know it’s a different thing, and I do support the teachers right to strike, but I’m so annoyed that she was so rude and aggressive with me this morning about how important it is for them to be in, when she was the one who sent the email saying they’re going to be off.

Now I probably won’t respond, but if I did, what should I say?

Tell her how important it was to have them in school, how they’ve missed enough with covid and shouldn’t be missing more just for a pay dispute that isn't their fault.

It was absolutely not her place to speak to you like that. You could complain about that. I probably would.

Surely school receptionists have no authority in granting time off for pupils so I'd be very annoyed if she spoke to me like that as well. Definitely send an email to the school asking them to get her to wind her neck in.

It's a shame you were dumbstruck at the time. You could have told her that it's fine because, worst case, they'd probably find a job as a school receptionist if you ruin their education.

I would probably put a complaint in too for the way she spoke to you. She was completely out of order.

😁

Reply to the receptionist to complain using the exact words she used for you as far as you possibly can.

😂😂

I would put a complaint in too. FWIW I think taking kids out for holidays once or twice in their school life is not an issue, as long as they're supported to catch up what they miss.

They are your children and don’t belong to the school or the state. You will decide what’s best for your family. I grew up in the U.S. and it would have been absurd to think that parents couldn’t take their children out of school.

sounds like that receptionist had what my boy is calling "a skill issue".

I can see both sides to this.

From the school perspective I can imagine it is incredibly challenging to coordinate missed learning. Giving your child the work they have missed or recapping it once they return takes time. Even if no private work schedule is put in place, the child can struggle on return, holding up the rest of the class or necessitating a 1-2-1. Who does that extra work? With 30+ in a class, multiple years and multiple lessons to cover, this can quickly spiral if it's a free for all. You make an exception for one and you have to be fair and allow others.

All that said, the idea that holidays are a frivolity that can't possibly equal the value of school is an attitude that speaks volumes about unconscious privilege. Even a cheap package deal to a mass tourist destination offers a child the experience of foreign travel, a different culture, different currency and more. It broadens horizons. It also offers the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with family, which is priceless. Some families may never have that (or even a week in the UK) if they don't go outside peak times. That's incredibly sad.

As for a response, no helpful advice sorry other than be prepared to pay the fine if you go ahead. This would be a nasty surprise if you weren't expecting it. Keep your communication with the school polite. It's much harder to write you off as unreasonable then.

I wouldn’t write a response to the receptionist as it would fall on deaf ears. I would, however, complain to the school that you were spoken to in a way that was inappropriate. In this situation, it was unprofessional for the receptionist to offer an opinion. Her behaviour, as a person that needs to interact daily with parents, could negatively impact further interactions. I’d add that you would expect feedback on matters such as this to come from your children’s class teacher or the school’s leadership team, and that personal attacks such as this undermine the position of the school.

Our primary actually said they see no issue with kids going during term for a family holiday as it's good for a family to spend quality time together which is good for everyones mental health which in turn makes for happier more settled children who engage better in class when they are there.
I would make a complaint about the jobsworth receptionist

Thanks everyone! I thought I was being over sensitive so I’m pleased so many people are in agreement with me! For what it’s worth, we’ve never taken a holiday during term time before, and I’m willing to pay a fine if they decide to fine me.