I went into the office and my colleague was ranting about her children. Both are teens, one in year 10 or 11 (GCSE years) and they convinced her that they do not need to go to school because of the train strikes (this was a few weeks ago).
I asked her if her children’s school was local and if they could have taken the bus instead. She said they could have taken the bus or even walked but they were stressing her out and she had a big meeting at work and so she’s let them stay at home. She was fined a few months ago because they didn’t go into school. She’s started keeping emergency funds for fines because her children’s attendance isn’t great.
This can’t be “the new normal” now. I’ve heard other stories from mum friends that arnt that bothered. Another friend pulled her teen out of school to attend a baby scan.
I understand people have “lost trust” in the education system etc. But AIBU for thinking that parents should really make the effort to get their children to school.
Growing up it was such a big deal for parents to do this. Unless my DD is ill she has to go in and if she is unhappy about something I will speak directly to teachers/headteachers/relevant parents to sort it out.