To think you just don't do this to a child

[Notanotherone8765]

My daughter's whole class go swimming every Friday. They get the bus to the swimming pool which is about 15 minutes away.
On Friday they were finishing up their swimming (it's the last thing of the day) and the teacher then said that everyone had to stay in the pool except my daughter. Turns out one of the girls was having her birthday party at the pool straight after. My daughter then had to get in the bus with the teacher and they came back to the school. I was there for the bus getting back and asked why my daughter was the only one on the bus and that's when the teacher told me. I understand not everyone is invited to everyone's party but would there not have been a better way of doing this? My daughter and I am very upset and I want to know if you think I'm being unreasonable. All opinions will be considered. Thank you
Oh and my daughter is 6 for context

There are so many issues here (school governor also) including the length of time the children were left in the pool for lessons and party. What about toilet breaks? Schoolbags for the children not returning to school? How did the other teachers/assistants get home?

Pic - EA guidance.

I don't care what anyone says I think it is a safeguarding risk on many levels.

OP thatvwas a horrible thing to haooen to your daughter. Very cruel. I understand how you're feeling.

I think the school wont be able to do anything (maybe they might make a new rule that all children have to be brought back to the school after swimming) but they are not obligated to do so.

It's the parents of the birthday child who I would have issue with but then I wonder, were they fully aware?
I know parents who know the name of every child in the class, then I know others who haven't a clue who their child has or hasn't invited?

Either way, I think you're right to say something because singling out one child in an environment that's supposed to be inclusive, is just plain cruel, thoughtless, confusing and upsetting to a child.
Sorry that happened op.

There was a bus for people who couldn't collect, but 90% of parents got their kids from the leisure centre and dropped them off there in the morning for swimming.

But troll hunting isn’t allowed on mumsnet. Don’t get me wrong, on the first page I called troll too, and reported the thread. Which mumsnet took down and have put back up, so it isn’t going to get pulled as a troll thread wether it’s true or not. So if all you can do is troll hunt then you are best off not posting.

Exactly!!

People think Halloween alone justifies time off school!

On another note. I haven't known many threads reinstated. I feel for you op.

Definitely complain to the school OP. This should not have happened!!! What were they thinking? Your poor DD.

I'm in Republic of Ireland not Northern Ireland but my gang are off for a week for the Halloween Break too.

that is awful. I would never do that to a child. Sorry OP, hope your daughter is ok

Schools can't just leave 14 6yr olds unattended in a pool.

So the mother either had written permission via something on the invites that she was accountable for each of the 14 children left in the pool, and informed the school of this in advance, or when you say you weren't sure who else was there, the other parents were there.

So the only issue is that your child wasn't invited, and you say you fully understand why, because she and the birthday girl don't like each other.

It's an on the fence here, if it's a pool party, it seems sensible not to dry off all the children, return them to school, all separately make their way back to the pool. Put their wet costumes back on, and get back in. Actually pretty smart planning on her part.

On the other hand, your DD had to witness the rest of her class attend a party...but a party of someone she doesn't like, nor likes her, so should have had no expectation of being at.

It's not private. Just a small state primary school in a very small town

People think Halloween alone justifies time off school!
We don't. We are fully aware it is mid term break, we just call it Halloween holidays.

I'm not troll hunting im saying it's odd and I would imagine breaks nearly every safeguarding rule going so op issue is with the school

Have any other parents mentioned this to you op?

Really poor of them, they never should have facilitated it.

My child is off this week too. Op has said her child is, just let it go! You’re coming across as argumentative for the sake of it.

Yanbu. Some people can be dickheads about kids' parties. I remember a couple of mums walked up to the queue of kids coming out of infant school and put party hats on the invited kids' heads. 🙄 Also mums giving out invitations on the playground. I held many kids' parties and its perfectly possible to be discreet about it.

Actually you said you couldn’t believe it and explained why it couldn’t be true. It’s not helpful is it. I agree it’s ridiculous though and shouldn’t have happened. Sounds like a small school thinking it can get away with bending the rules for a parent who’s friendly with the staff.

You haven't bothered to read any of the posts from people who are actually IN Northern Ireland have you?

I'm 53. I got time off at Halloween - three days, Friday, before and Monday and Tuesday of Halloween week it always was.

My kids are mid-20's to early 30's and by their day it was a full week off at Halloween.

I have always called it Halloween week - I have never in my life called it half term, or heard it called that, it's just not what people say here. At a push, I might say Halloween half term, but I honestly don't remember ever saying that - I just say off for Halloween week, or the kids are off for Halloween.

Revolting behaviour from the parent but the school is totally out of order to be part of it. The school should have brought the whole class back to school as per usual and then said parent could do what she liked. Doesn't matter if it inconvenienced her in any way.
I'd throw the book at the school, report to Head Teacher, governors, local authority and Ofsted if relevant in NI. After that I'd consider withdrawing child from the school. By the way, is there any aprticular reason why your DD was excluded other than not getting on with birthday child? I'm thinking the Equalities Act.... Hope your DD gets over it quickly.

@Differentstarts it is at our school. School day ends at 3.30 and so does swimming. The bus gets back to school close to 4pm. It’s a nightmare but that’s just the way it is this year.

agree, it's absolutely the school's place to correct this cruel behaviour...

I suspect literally every school on this island is currently on midterm, and 90pc+ of parents and children are describing that as the Halloween break. It being a break that covers Halloween.

I can't believe it as its so shocking its certainly not a school I would want my children in. Is their a reason you keep writing to me accusing me of troll hunting or are you just trying to get me banned from mumsnet like you did op by reporting her post.

Oh and my daughter is 6 for context.

What idiot gives a birthday party at a swimming pool for 6-year-olds?!
Wouldn't be allowed where I live. Recipe for disaster.

Sorry your daughter was left out OP.