Would you expect a school to authorise an absence to attend a parent's graduation?

[CottageBearskin]

Just that really.

Child is 13, so non GCSE year
Parent is getting their doctorate

The 'school' has its hands tied and has to follow government guidance and so no attending a parent's graduation will not be an authorised absence. However I'm sure the individuals that make up the school: headteacher and class teacher will actually be pleased for you and won't be too surprised and will be happy for your child to have the day off unauthorised. They won't think too much about the absence and neither should you.

No they won't. They refused a funeral and a cadet event to meet royalty. But we did it anyway because it's a good few sessions before you get a fine.

Why wouldn't they? My family member's did. Great role modelling for children demonstrating hard work leading to (educational) success.

They might authorise it, teachers are permitted one day to attend a child's graduation, so I think they might

ask, but do it anyway

Maybe

I've known a school authorise for pupils to go to see a parent receive their OBE at the Palace.

Something like this would be at the discretion of the Head.

I would but I doubt it.

My children’s primary school are diamonds and would have no issue with it . The secondary school however, is a different kettle of fish. Put bluntly they are wankers so it would be a no from them.
Factor in that your kid may be bored as well. Congrats to you but that may well be a lot for a 13 year old who get bored easily at the best of times.

Yes, my son's primary school authorised it when DH graduated.
I would have taken him anyway.

I wouldn't expect it to be authorised but I would ask. If it wasn't authorised I would do it anyway.

No, they won’t, and can’t. Call in sick.

No I wouldn't, just take it unauthorised.

Although graduations are horrendously boring, they'd probably rather be in school.

Sorry to burst your bubble but I went to my mum's at that age and was bored rigid, was over tired from being up early to travel, and hated every minute of it. I made it known too in the only way a teenager knows how.

I have a MSc graduation coming up in November and have a son who will be sitting exams next April/May. He's coming whether it's authorised or not.

Tbh I wouldn’t care whether they authorised it or not - it’s my decision as their parent. I wouldn’t be asking permission to remove them either I’d just tell the school they were going to be absent.

No

No.

Just go out for a nice meal to celebrate.

Yes. It would have been authorised at every school I've ever worked at.

My DD had an authorised absence for my graduation a few years ago. I hadn't expected it to be agreed at all and had sent a slightly snotty email basically saying I'd take her anyway. I got the most lovely reply from the head congratulating me and authorising the absence saying how important it was to celebrate the achievement as a family and that it would be a great opportunity to raise aspirations. We had a brilliant day, my daughter who was 14 at the time dressed up and tried on my cap and gown etc. and we had a lovely lunch. Very memorable day and I really appreciated the support from school. So you never know!

Thanks for your replies! It's DH we're thinking about, not me. I think we'd take her anyway but just curious what the answer might be.

DH got his masters when she was in primary and they authorised that absence. But secondary school might be a different beast.

Still, I think that from the school's point of view, celebrating educational success makes sense!

This.

I'm going to graduate next year and it hadn't entered my head to take my 13yo. I don't think it's a big deal.

They might if you word it right - talk about aspiring to reach high in education, creating a memory that they will strive for.

Our school is super strict, but we had approval for a party to celebrate the adoption of my nephew's, as I wrote a whole page about how important this day was to the entire family, and how the values of belonging to a family community whatever that looks like, are something to be celebrated and valued - we were attending court too, as part of it so I wrote how that was educational etc.

Word it well and you might be ok. 🤞

I wouldn't have taken my kids to either of my graduations though, mine are too young and would have been causing mayhem and bored stiff. 😅

Well Yeah, a 13yo might be bored at a graduation ceremony, as opposed to the endless excitement of doing biology or maths at school.

I wouldnt expect it. To be honest personally I would just take them out for a nice meal afterwards to celebrate! Really most 13 year olds will be bored stiff during a graduation!

I agree with this. I have yawned sat through through four graduations, and they are so boring. Fortunately, DD's graduation was in a fairly small hall and was only about 45 minutes long. Graduations in large cathedrals go on for ever.

If the child wants to attend I wouldn't hesitate to take them out of school for the day, authorised or not, but it might be an idea to manage their expectations about what happens during a graduation ceremony. They might just want to go for the celebratory meal.

Just to add I wanted my kids at the ceremony and celebration because my degree had involved significant sacrifices from the whole family and there had been some times where it had been quite tough. I wanted them to see that it was worthwhile in the end and enjoy the feeling of achievement together as I felt it was a team effort in reality, not just mine.

graduation ceremonies are incredibly boring. are you sure your child would get much out of it?