DS17 wants to skip school day for UCAT. AIBU to say no??

[PoisedTiger]

DS17 has his UCAT coming up next week. He has asked to skip school this Wednesday so he can do some final preparation.

AIBU to refuse to lie to the school and call him in sick?

School attendance is important to me, and I don't want to set a bad example by lying.

I have absolutely no doubts about his time management, he is doing brilliantly academically and is currently predicted 4 As*.

Should I just support him and pull the sickie, or am I right to insist on the truth?

It's one day to prepare for an important test. I would let him have the time.

School is important but surely the UCAT is really important too? If he wants to go to medical school then the 4A*s are not worth very much without a good UCAT score.

It's fine, and he's showing how seriously he's taking his future choices.

It’s one day for an important test. Having said that we’ve got a family member doing it and after doing some practises myself I’m not sure how much you can prepare.

For UCAT I would allow it. It’s important

ucat is insanely important. I’d let him do it

You definitely can and need to.

For UCAT I would let him have a day. Without a good score he won't get the interviews so no chance of an offer and the grades are then meaningless.

You can definitely prepare and the more they do the quicker they get.

He's 17 so I think he can make up his own mind. I was writing my own sick notes to get out of PE when I was 12. I think he's capable of calling the school and leaving a voicemail to say he won't be in and doesn't need you to get involved.

Just tell them he's off for UCAT. No need to call him in sick. You're his parent. It's your call.

I would without hesitation. If a quiet day before makes he feel more prepared and comfortable why wouldn’t you. It’s a high stakes test. He can easily catch up one day at school.

I wouldn’t lie but I would advice school he isn’t coming in as he needs time to prepare for UCAT.
if school doesn’t agree, it’ll just go down as unauthorised absence but I’d rather have that than lying about being ill.

The UCAT is incredibly competitive. A friends son was in the top 10% pf UCAT, got 3As at A level and still didn't meet the criteria for dentistry.

One day isnt going to make a difference to his a level grades overall at this stage, lack of the prep for the UCAT and a lower score may significantly limit them.

Friends son is taking a year out and resitting the UCAT this time to improve on his score hopefully.

You are being unreasonable to refuse him the additional time hes asked for prep.

The UCAT is a really big deal. I’d just tell school he won’t be in that day because of the test, wouldn’t say he was sick. I’d definitely let him have the day for this and if they don’t authorise the full day, so what?

You don't have to lie. Just tell the school he's having a day preparing for the ucat.

He’s just had 6 weeks to prepare. Did he spend this time wisely?

You and he need to think what he’ll be missing if he doesn’t go in. Has he chosen Wednesday because he doesn’t have many classes that day?

A high UCAT score is every bit as important as excellent A level grades. If he is on track for 4 x A* then I would cut a bit of slack and allow the day off for UCAT. If he doesn't do well in his UCAT he won't get another chance until next year.

I would be honest with the school though.

I just mean depending on how many he’s already done. Like you can’t do it indefinitely. It’s not like remembering an essay. But if he felt better about it I’d let him

Why is school attendance so important to you given you have a very bright focussed dc? Is there a damp patch on a wall you want to cover up with an ‘I’ve got 100% attendance’ certificate?

Talk about skewed priorities!

Hopefully he’s already done a fair bit of preparation as it’s really important, but I would allow this if it helps him feel ready the day before.

Poor kid, let him have the day. UCAT is important. Plus he is almost an adult. He is obviously a motivated and hardworking lad - trust him to make the right decisions for himself.

If you don't want him to lie, encourage him to tell the school the truth about why he is taking the day off. Doesn't matter if it isn't authorised - his teachers will understand.

Isn’t he in 6th form? In which case there is no legal requirement for parents to ensure that he attend every school day. It is up to him to manage his attendance. Not you.

You don't need to phone him in sick, you tell them that he is preparing for an external exam. This is a reasonable excuse for absence!

I would let him and I'd tell school the truth. They should support that IMO. Also if he's year 13 will he even be missing a whole day of lessons? Neither of mine had a full day of lessons at that age