To take my Dd out of school for a day at the zoo?

[Washingmachineneverstops]

Dd is in Primary. We have a tradition that we go to a special and expensive zoo/amusement park each year. Weekends and holidays are far too busy and more expensive. Previously when she was younger and not at school, we’d go during the week and we have great memories.
She has been previously very unwell but has worked so hard this year and been in school every day. Her school reports are excellent, she completes all homework and is top in every subject.

Would it be wrong to have just one, quiet day of us together at our special place?

No, you wouldn’t be unreasonable, but this is probably the wrong place to ask! Where I live, in Wales, the school would authorise it.

Of course not. Take her and enjoy!

We as parents still have rights over our own chidlren!

The zoo is grim. Lots of animals hiding and being miserable away from their natural habitat. Kids usually see through the veneer and realise the cruelty after about 7/8 yrs old.

So no I wouldn't take my kid out of school for that. Or a theme park which is just queueing for three hours for a two minute ride.

Have fun!

One day at at 5yo? Its hardly going to stop her getting into Oxbridge.

Its all about balance. An irregular day out is completely different to yearly 3 week long holidays.

Probably not, but the teachers will think you are a dick for doing so, and it won't be authorised.

Are you going to pretend she is ill? Because this isn't a great 'learning moment' for kids. "Mummy thought the rules didn't apply to her so we were told to lie about it".

It's not so much that she will miss lots of vital schooling - she won't, and I say this as a teacher. It's the fact that you think her having a treat, or doing something lovely, means it's ok to skip the boring job/school/rules that don't apply to you because you are special.

pp who thinks 'We still have rights over our own children' demonstrates pretty much why school respect and discipline is being eroded.

It’s fine my parents used to do this with me and we’d go to chesington or Alton towers for the day 😂 i do the same with mine!

Unreasonable, education is important. Go on an inset day

Oh, just go. She's 5.

I would, and do, do this with my dc. Just do it. No one will care, her education won’t suffer for one day. She could have just as easily have been sick. Just do it on a Friday and ring in sick and then she can say she went over the weekend - if she says Friday you can just say she’s confused. How could they prove it?

Oh, don't be so ridiculous.

As an adult I can take days off whenever I want using my annual leave. A 5yo missing a day of school to go to the zoo with her mum is not going to grow up thinking the "rules don't apply to her".

I’d absolutely do the same. Go for it and have a lovely day together!

Hardly doubt a 5 year old will miss much, they’re hardly a GCSE or A level student.

Do it. We've always done it with ours, they had a day off during school and we went somewhere fun like a theme park or a day in a city etc. I didn't lie to the school, it's never caused them to disrespect their school and they have always been well behaved and top in their classes. Plus we have some amazing memories of time together.

She's five years old 😂

She’s 5, I would. I can’t imagine teachers would think you’re a dick, how unpleasant. I took my kids out for a trip to a theme park in primary, a week in y5/3 and a week in yr 6/4. (All authorised by the head). Surprise, it’s had no detrimental impact- they’re now both in secondary, appreciate that they have to go to boring school, and obey rules @Hatty65

Not really sure what you want out of this thread. You think it's fine, so just go ahead and do it. Personally I'd just take my child at a weekend or school holiday as I think being in school is important, but irrelevant what I think.

I would suggest not calling it a tradition though. She will get to an age where it's not really appropriate.

Why wouldn't it be appropriate to miss a single day of school each year?

Where has OP said she has 5? The "completes all homework and is top in every subject" is an odd way to describe a 5 year old so I suspect she is older.

I’m an early years teacher and I think you should take her. Family life matters too, sometimes families need a day to recharge and do something together. Education for a 5yo can include real-world experiences with an engaged parent without the sky falling in.

Where it says she's previously not been in school until this year. Maybe I've mis-read it but either way she should go.

Take her out of school by all means but think carefully about where you go. Last time I went to a theme park in June the school trips made it horrendous. Much worse than in the actual school holidays.

Im taking mine out for a day at a theme park - no guilt at all. Enjoy your day out

ps I agree with above, I’d go on a tuesday not long after half term before all the school trips kick off!!

Because you actually miss quite a lot that you can't easily make up by the time you are in secondary school, and particularly when close to exam years?