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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To pull a sickie to take my kids to Glastonbury

122 replies

TheColourofspring · 03/05/2023 07:42

Me & DH have glasto tickets. My mum was going to look after the kids but now can’t come down. I am not so concerned about the year 6 child as they will have done SATS & the head won’t mind. The older child more tricky as secondary won’t give any days off and certainly not for a festival. But it’s the last year we can get them in for free! Older child doing well in school so am not so worried about them missing school for a few days.

It’s more how to do it? Formally & it’s likely I will get fined! I feel really bad pulling a sickie but I feel like it’s a great experience for them & one that they will remember.

Glasto tickets are like Rocking horse poo too so for DH & I, it might be our last chance!! There’s great kids stuff on site, family camping & so good all round really. And post covid, feels like an enriching thing to do.

Irresponsible parents or life experience?! I really don’t want to have to give up my tickets with 6 weeks to go!

OP posts:
scaredysquiggle · 03/05/2023 08:11

we live within a stones throw of Glastonbury and my children's school has a Glastonbury Festival policy (because every year so many go). Kids are allowed to miss school as long as parents give permission or are taking them and its academically light for those that are still there.

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 03/05/2023 08:14

@toomuchlaundry possibly, not sure tbh. They are tested on an almost weekly basis now anyway

OP posts:
stonebrambleboy · 03/05/2023 08:33

Just take them. It's all about the memories. I hope the sun shines for you😁

Qilin · 03/05/2023 08:40

It's 3 days. In most LEAs it wouldn't constitute a fine, if that aspect bothers you.
Most schools won't authorise it but 3 days unauthorised absence also isn't an issue either.
I wouldn't lie. Just take them and tell school you'll be absent - or phone on the day and tell them.

Lcb123 · 03/05/2023 08:45

Don’t lie about it. And definitely go, I don’t get this obsession with needing to be at school all the time, especially just before summer hols

LobsterBiscuit · 03/05/2023 08:48

Tell them but definitely take them. Ask for an authorised absence as he's been given the opportunity for work experience on a stall at a festival 🤣

overitunderit · 03/05/2023 08:51

I would do it but I definitely wouldn't lie. Apart from anything else it's a truly terrible lesson for your kids. Be upfront with the school but firm about it and accept that there may be a fine. "Dear x, I am writing to let you know that we will be taking the children out of school to attend a festival with me and my husband on x dates. We will ensure any missed lessons are caught up when they return and we can assure you that this is a one off. We have not taken the decision lightly but we believe it to be the correct one. Kind regards"

PeskyRooks · 03/05/2023 08:57

Ooh my year 10 ds was telling me last night about his mate who is doing his English mock then having a few days off to go to Glastonbury! And the parents were planning on phoning him in sick!
Wonder if that is you??!
And I said fair play don't blame them btw!

broadbeanquiche · 03/05/2023 09:03

Take them anyway if you want - just tell the school to go ahead and fine you. They've missed some through strikes and that was ok.

AxolotlEars · 03/05/2023 09:04

Do it. Don't lie. Don't tell them in advance.

ilovesooty · 03/05/2023 09:16

Whinge · 03/05/2023 07:50

Take them, but don't lie to the school.

Agreed

Anderson2018 · 03/05/2023 09:49

take them, who cares about lying to the school, and who cares what anyone else thinks, teach your kids to be a little rebellious then they won’t be such a stick in the mud when older like the others on here that are telling you that you shouldn’t lie 🤣 honestly who cares. They will remember it forever, what an amazing family experience for them!

Figgygal · 03/05/2023 09:50

Why lie? What example is that? There's no way they won't tell friends.
I'd judge you more for lying about it than giving your kids an opportunity like that

Jellycatspyjamas · 03/05/2023 09:51

"Dear x, I am writing to let you know that we will be taking the children out of school to attend a festival with me and my husband on x dates.

To be honest this is all you need, no excuses, explanations or apologies.

TeaTowelQueen · 03/05/2023 09:53

I finally got Wimbledon tickets, my son will be taking a sickie, he's a really keen tennis player, it's only one day...

Also he's in a failing school and has hardly had any English or maths teaching for the last 2 years, I pay for tutors, so quite frankly he's not going to miss anything...

Neededanewuserhandle · 03/05/2023 09:57

Completely and totally unreasonable.

Neededanewuserhandle · 03/05/2023 09:58

Anderson2018 · 03/05/2023 09:49

take them, who cares about lying to the school, and who cares what anyone else thinks, teach your kids to be a little rebellious then they won’t be such a stick in the mud when older like the others on here that are telling you that you shouldn’t lie 🤣 honestly who cares. They will remember it forever, what an amazing family experience for them!

"who cares about lying to the school" The Boris Johnson generation.

Hbh17 · 03/05/2023 10:01

You clearly have no respect for your children's education or for your employer. I'm astonished that anyone would think this is a good idea.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 03/05/2023 10:07

@Hbh17 what's her employer got to do with it? you are entitled to annual leave lolz

a few days off school will do the kids np harm

cpphelp · 03/05/2023 10:07

As long as you don't ever roll your eyes or worry about teachers strikes, then crack on!
Personally, this won't be a work ethic I'll be teaching my children

Tillow4ever · 03/05/2023 10:07

Hbh17 · 03/05/2023 10:01

You clearly have no respect for your children's education or for your employer. I'm astonished that anyone would think this is a good idea.

Why their employer? The OP hasn’t said if they work, haven’t said they’re calling in sick, etc?

CornishGem1975 · 03/05/2023 10:11

Just do it. Nobody gave a flying fuck when my Year 10 and Year 11 DC were forced out of school for the best part of a year. Given that experience, I wouldn't bat an eyelid about it now.

Tillow4ever · 03/05/2023 10:12

OP last year I booked for a much smaller festival to take 2 of my kids to (eldest didn’t want to go). It usually fell in school holidays, so I booked immediately after the previous year without really paying attention to the date, and only realised later it was 29th June not July. I was worrying about pulling out school for it (I’ve never done that before) and in the end I asked the primary school and they said it was fine. But the secondary school I spoke to one of my dibs teachers and asked him hypothetically what should I do in this situation. He replied and said, hypothetically I’d call in sick because they will not approve that in any circumstances and they are highly likely to fine, even for just 2 days. So although I’d rather not have lied, I took his advice and did that.

the world didn’t end, no one got in trouble, and the kids had a brilliant time doing something they definitely wouldn’t have done otherwise!

CornishGem1975 · 03/05/2023 10:13

cpphelp · 03/05/2023 10:07

As long as you don't ever roll your eyes or worry about teachers strikes, then crack on!
Personally, this won't be a work ethic I'll be teaching my children

The very fact that my kids keep having to miss school in the run up to their exams because of the teachers strike would spur me on! If they don't give a toss about whether my kids miss days of their education...they can't really bleat on about this either!

cpphelp · 03/05/2023 10:15

Ideal then @CornishGem1975, your kids kiss out on education and no one cares! Well done.