To think school as a bit unfair

[YouWat]

School wasnt happy that my daughter was 30 minutes late for school this morning. She has never had a day off or been late once in the past. I was in traffic for 2 hours to drop my son off at nursery, I did contemplate turning back to take my daughter first but I would have been even more late for work!

It can be disruptive when a child comes in late. As it wasn’t your fault or something you do on a regular basis they shouldn’t have made a big deal of it.

I guess they are just doing their job and probably just following procedure for lates, be it a one off or a kid who is late often. I wouldn't overthink it. They will likely have many lates every single day.

Neither of you was being unreasonable. You had a valid reason why she was late. Being late disputes the entire class so the school was obviously unhappy.

I was already so stressed, I queued in traffic for 2 hours with an unhappy 3 and 6 year old. I would have much preferred to be on time.

Despite many teachers being working parents they always seem to struggle with the idea that parents work.
Is it primary or secondary. I find secondary a nightmare with zero tolerance on lateness or accidentally forgetting something once.
It's counter productive.
My kids would rather not go at all than be 5 minutes late

I assume you did at least ring the school to let them know of the issue and give them an ETA ? My childrens' school were always fine as long as you did this. And there were usually other parents in the same position if it was a traffic issue. Otherwise how do they know whether she is just going to be a few minutes late or not coming in at all ?

she is in year 2, They have put temporary lights on an already busy road. I cannot believe how long it took!

What does, “wasn’t happy” actually mean?
Of course they’re never going to say it’s ideal. But on that post I don’t know if you’re over-reacting to someone saying, “please try to be on time” or whether you’ve been given a full dressing down!

you don’t specify what you mean by “wasn’t happy”. Were there actually any consequences?

If all you had to deal with was office staff reminding you to try to get in on time or a teacher seeming a bit annoyed, I wouldn’t think it was even worth mentioning.

What do you mean? What did they say? Did you call them to say she would be late?

If you have hands free calling, phone them next time to let them know.

At my child’s school lunch menu choices are submitted within 20minutes of arrival as kitchen needs the information and they run on vv tight margins.Of course it can be sorted but it is a hassle when children keep coming through the door after this time. You won’t have been the only ones late today. Registers need to be altered, things can get missed if there are other important things happening etc. Don’t worry about it. It’s just one of those things.

Yes it was the receptionist, she did not say anything really but her attitude wasn't great and it made me feel a bit shit

What did you want her to say?

Trying to work out if I did the right thing, I had to drive past the turning to my daughters school but we were on time at that point, If i would have turned round I would have been even later for work and work was my priority.

Just to have had a better attitude

Was you the only one late due to traffic?

So, it was actually your fault that your daughter was so late?!
Massive fucking drip feed.
Of course, you are being unreasonable!

Did you bring your daughter to work with you?

Considering the school didn't say anything to you I think it was OK

No I WFH and for me to have turned round and queued for a second time in the traffic I was already in would have made me massively ate for work

Not exactly

You being late has an impact on her. She has to stop what she’s doing, take your child to class etc. It’s pretty disruptive and you were probably the tenth child that day due to the lights and she was probably fed up. She didn’t say anything, I really think you should forget it.

So many schools are arse backwards about this sort of thing.

My kids school doesn't do this at all, they are ridiculously understanding and accommodating, and realistically just happy to see the kids when they turn up!

As a result it builds a positive relationship between kids and parents- most kids are really happy to go, and parents feel good about making effort because they know it's going to be appreciated. Everyone feels valued. It shows in their stats as well, their persistent absence level is around half the national average.