Given detention for lateness on tube strike day

[Longingdreamer]

My child was given a detention today, despite there being a tube strike in London, which has caused travel chaos. They early but were apparently still late: roads are almost at a standstill it seems.

They get very upset by detentions, due to underlying neuro diversity.

Aibu to think that the school shouldn't give these on a strike day for minor lateness?

They usually give them, even if a child is only 1 minute late, but it seems wicked when it is out of their control.

Well she sounds like she’s in an utterly inappropriate school setting op.

This is year 7, she’s just started?

We don't usually get a lot of choice. We are told that all state schools can cater for all kinds of SEN.

Was this the only one available to the Op?

it isn’t local

Welcome to London.
It's the way it is.
Children have to travel crazy distances to go to school - often not out of parental choice.

It is local in London.

And you are lucky if you have much choice. We got our second choice and were very happy...

Local based on usually quite good public transport. When that breaks down - such as a strike - the extent to which it isn't so 'local' becomes obvious.

I think the school should be lenient on this occasion, especially if this affected many students and staff. I wonder if any staff who were late had to do detention? In our society we are often much tougher on our kids than we are on adults…

Your age doesnt matter on public transport

Not far from Old Street. Back streets but crossing a couple of main-ish roads. It’s usually pretty quiet and it was still quiet! This was at about 8.10 though as I always start early.

Would you say the adults you know have the same levels of general competency as the average 12 year old child?

OP already stated it was not their first choice of school. They missed out on being allocated their first choice.

We were local to this school, but since moved.

We missed out on our preferred choices and were allocated a place there. We were on waiting list for other schools, but didn't have any luck. I haven't renewed the spaces on the waiting list though.

The school does have positive aspects to it, but the rules are Draconian, and it is saddening that they refuse to make any reasonable adjustments for send.

I do wonder at the kind of workplaces posters are in now where they would stay overnight near their workplace or set off 3 hours earlier than usual in order to avoid being 5 minutes late.
I value timeliness and I think people should make reasonable efforts to be on time but a tube strike is an unusual event and some people will get it wrong and should be given some consideration.

Lots of kids use public transport in london

You can guarantee lots of kids have different competency levels and being kicked off busses would set anxiety off .

Probably safer than normal if cars aren't moving fast

Kids travel free, why would they be kicked off

Because they travel free. Ita been mentioned on the thread that someone has witnessed children being kicked off buses so adults can stay on

Because some bus drivers treat them as 2nd class citizens and if a v=bus is full they will be kicked off to make way for paying passengers.

Swings and roundabouts. I’d rather they have the free travel and risk this.

Apologies for going off topic but just to address a common misconception, schools do not give priority to ‘first place choices’. An equal preference system has been in place across England for many years so that parents are able to list schools in their genuine order of preference without needing to ‘gamble’ or risk losing a place at a nearby school by putting another they prefer above it. If someone lists a school 6th they would get a place ahead of someone who lists it first but doesn’t meet the admissions criteria as well (e,g. by living further away). Just mentioning it as lots of people still think it is ‘first preference first’ and the application period is coming up!

OP, YANBU. I hate these ridiculously rigid rules.

Its crazy to be driving in london

It's taking 3 times longer for journeys across London and the traffic is crazy, everyone who has a car has driven in or gone part way to collect family/friends etc to make journeys bit better. YANBU and teacher should allow it because of the strike! My DS even got last night bus into work to avoid traffic but his journey home was awful

I wouldn't put up with that from the school. Stern letter to head and copy in chair of the governors. Request meeting with SEN lead as well. Make it clear that it should never happen again and that your child is not ever going to do a similar detention. We need to stand up for our kids!

Some ridiculous answers op, don’t pay any attention. They have no idea how far your child has to travel, or if it’s even possible to get in, in time even if they left at 7am. I think it’s unfair to give detentions in this case. I would speak to the school.

I think if this was the first time it happened and the school were notified in advance, a detention is harsh. If this has happened before and/or the school were not notified in advance about the lateness, YABU. Also too not clear how late your child was either as also relevant.