Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU the school should allow a later start time

96 replies

Ihateelves · 09/11/2023 15:13

DC school are having a musical production which is a whole class participation. ( 2 classes doing 2 separate shows )
they have been focusing on this for weeks in class and everyone is involved. They are year 4 and 5 students.
it is going to be performed at a different location from the school with other schools also performing musicals.
the children attended school by the usual 8.40 this morning for normal lessons they then left school just before lunch to head to Venue and did rehearsals for the rest of the day. The show then starts at 7pm and most children won’t get home until around 11pm.
we received an email today to remind us that they expect all year 4 and 5 students to be at school on time tomorrow.
I know every 8/9 year old is different but I can’t imagine the classroom will be fun for anyone tomorrow including the teacher !
I would have expected a later start time at least ?

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 09/11/2023 15:17

If the school said there has to be a later start time the next day because the children and teacher are knackered, loads of parents would moan that they needed school open for childcare!

charlotte361 · 09/11/2023 15:18

YANBU but i guess they have to say that because some parents will need to be at work early doors and then its not really fair on them if everyone else gets a lie in

s4usagefingers · 09/11/2023 15:20

It’s only 1 day.

Notimeforaname · 09/11/2023 15:23

All of the above.
it's one day. Theyll be fine. People have jobs and cant just keep their children home later because they had a late night. Yabu

TeaKitten · 09/11/2023 15:24

It’s just one day and lots of parents will still need the kids in school on time. I’m sure most kids have occasional days where they are up late for school whatever reason, they all survive.

hedgehogge · 09/11/2023 15:26

When my school does Young Voices, they don't get back until 11ish. We always have the option to bring them in slightly later the next day but they all need to be in by 10

Strictlymad · 09/11/2023 15:26

I think they could accommodate both tbh, ‘dear parents school will be open at 8.40 as normal after the performance, but we understand that it has been a late night so won’t record late attendance that day. Please make sure your chip arrives between 8:40 and 10am.’

kitsuneghost · 09/11/2023 15:28

I doubt many parents could just take the morning off work so the kids could have a lie in

YourNameGoesHere · 09/11/2023 15:29

Strictlymad · 09/11/2023 15:26

I think they could accommodate both tbh, ‘dear parents school will be open at 8.40 as normal after the performance, but we understand that it has been a late night so won’t record late attendance that day. Please make sure your chip arrives between 8:40 and 10am.’

Agreed. It seems quite Draconian to have no flexibility. Yes of course school needs to be open the next day for those who have no choice but to have their child in as normal but they could also have a later start for those who have the option of coming later. Let's be honest they aren't going to be missing anything coming in later, those in at 9am aren't exactly going to be super productive.

DrCoconut · 09/11/2023 15:34

They are year 4/5 not babies or toddlers? They'll be fine with a one off lateish night. They will probably enjoy it.

FallingAutumnLeaf · 09/11/2023 15:38

I think it's the late finish that is the issue, rather than the standard start.
DS1 would have been fine.
DS2 would have been a missery by 8pm, and a sobbing mess by 10.
I realise that is 2 extremes, but there will be a number oof kids who won't make it that late.

Mariposista · 09/11/2023 15:41

and who is going to look after those kids of they get a lie in? The flower fairies? Activity or no activity, I for one have to be at my desk at the normal time. It's one day.

YourNameGoesHere · 09/11/2023 15:41

DrCoconut · 09/11/2023 15:34

They are year 4/5 not babies or toddlers? They'll be fine with a one off lateish night. They will probably enjoy it.

No one's saying they won't enjoy the late night but what is there to enjoy about having to get up and to school at the same time as usual but on much less sleep?

It wouldn't hurt anyone to let those who can come in a bit later. The teacher would probably be much happier with even 10 of them coming in later and more well rested than having 30 shattered kids.

feathermucker · 09/11/2023 15:51

It's one day. They'll be fine. What about the parents who couldn't bring their children in later?

TomatoSandwiches · 09/11/2023 15:58

hedgehogge · 09/11/2023 15:26

When my school does Young Voices, they don't get back until 11ish. We always have the option to bring them in slightly later the next day but they all need to be in by 10

This is what ours do.

TinyTear · 10/11/2023 10:07

Strictlymad · 09/11/2023 15:26

I think they could accommodate both tbh, ‘dear parents school will be open at 8.40 as normal after the performance, but we understand that it has been a late night so won’t record late attendance that day. Please make sure your chip arrives between 8:40 and 10am.’

This is what my school did for the y5 shakespeare's performances and they even allowed siblings to arrive by 10 am

to be honest mine are so used to waking up at the same time every day we got to school at 9h15 or something instead of 8h55 so just 20m late

StockpotSoup · 10/11/2023 10:17

It’s a long time ago now, but the rule with our school productions was you could either have the first or last lesson of the day off, depending on whether you wanted a lie-in or a longer rest between school and the show.

minipie · 10/11/2023 10:23

Neither of mine would sleep in anyway so a late start would just be a pain and not get them any extra sleep.

I’m sure they have a quiet day —movie— planned.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 10/11/2023 10:29

When my kids were in primary school they were part of the school band and performed in national competitions around the UK - always 6 hours + from our corner of the country. The kids would always be in school the next day because they were on a high. They would be treated like heroes the next day and wouldn't have dreamt of staying home. It was the staff I felt sorry for!

Comefromaway · 10/11/2023 10:30

When my son played the lead in a school show in Year 7 and again when he was taking part in an external show in Year 8 & 9 his schools (he moved between years 8 & 9) suggested he go in late. It seems some schools are more supportive than others.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/11/2023 10:34

It’s one day, they’ll be fine.

RoseAndRose · 10/11/2023 10:36

They'll almost certainly be tolerant of any latecomers that day, because they know some DC might struggle a bit.

They also know that most DC will be absolutely fine, and won't be thrown at all by a couple of exciting late nights.

And the last thing they want is to promote "pester power" by saying DC can come in late, meaning they will all clamour to be allowed that - which would just be another damned annoyance for all those families who don't have endless flexibility to deal with school changing the length of its day

Ontheperiphery79 · 10/11/2023 10:38

It's ONE day. I'm sure the precious little cherubs will survive.

Pooooochi · 10/11/2023 10:40

I never understand why this sort pf thing happens.

There is absolutely no reason to keep 7 & 8 year olds up til 11pm. They are children. A children's performance should start and end earlier.

ManchesterLu · 10/11/2023 10:43

Shinyandnew1 · 09/11/2023 15:17

If the school said there has to be a later start time the next day because the children and teacher are knackered, loads of parents would moan that they needed school open for childcare!

Easy way to deal with this is that school is open for those who need it, maybe colouring/films in the dining hall.. with the rest of the children joining for lessons to resume at 11 or something like that?