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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

another school one-think i may have overstepped the mark this time...

82 replies

sleeplessinstretford · 13/07/2009 18:42

dd is in year 9, at 11.20 this morning I received a text message from school saying 'your daughter was absent from registration this morning-please explain via text where she is' to which I replied 'dd left for school at 745-is she not there now or was she just late as depending on which one this is i will either have to discipline her for poor time keeping or ring the police'

this is the 4th time that i have had words with them about the same thing. DD shouldn't have been late but surely there's some way of cross referencing whether the kids were actually late or in the ICU? When
ever I have rung school to ask if she's there they have to then go and check up.
AIBU (and as i know i am not ) would you then follow up this matter with a letter to the head?

OP posts:

LaaDeDa · 13/07/2009 20:03

The way i read the original text the school sent, was just as an automated message saying 'your child missed registration - pls text back and explain where they are' obviously tailored for son or daughter.

Response is then -
They are at home ill in bed and i forgot/didn't bother to ring in.

They went in late as we got up late/ had a dentist apt/etc etc and obviously haven't signed in.

I have no idea - i sent them off to school on time so am now worried they haven't turned up and i will ring you immediately. Thank you for alerting me to this as if you didn't have this policy i would be none to the wiser about my child being tardy/skiving OR wouldn't realise they were missing until much later in the day. At least this way we can check.

Seems like a standard text and the quickest way to start sorting out the reasons for the absences to me so uabu - sorry! Can appreciate if you fall in to the last response though it must be very worrying until they are 'found'.

hatesponge · 13/07/2009 20:14

OP, YANBU. My eldest goes into Year 7 in Sept, and will be making his own way to school every day either bus or walking. I would go into total panic if I got a text mid-morning saying he wasnt there, especially as I would know I couldnt check with him as his new school has a strict rule that mobiles are not to be switched on whilst on school premises (& automatic detention if you are found with a phone that is on!)

Some 20 years ago my school had a great solution to lateness - the headmaster used to stand at the gate til about 9.15 every morning physically signing in - and reprimanding! - all latecomers. After that the gate was locked til lunch & anyone in after that had to ring bell & go via school office. That way the school knew exactly who was in school at all times...and the fear of getting caught late by the head was enough to make all but the most bolshy pupil turn up on time

Goblinchild · 13/07/2009 20:23

My son is in Y9, if he had caused this much bother I'd fine him some of his pocket money and think up another couple of sanctions until he was very clear about the responsibility he has to get himself to school on time.
He leaves after me, as did my daughter before until she left altogether.
Your daughter caused the worry and bother, and you are furious with the school? Like another poster said, dammed if you do, dammed if you don't. Juggling over 1,000 students is complicated.
Maybe they should just have called the EWO.

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 20:39

You're all laughably mad you know

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 20:40

apart for the people who agree with me of course - they are sane - the rest of you - fruit loops

Original poster

sleeplessinstretford · 13/07/2009 20:41

i don't know what that means-and i don't need tips on how i should punish her.i am not angry that they text. i am angry that the text indicates she's AWOL when actually she's sat behind a desk-forget it- i think my head might actually explode with this!

OP posts:

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 20:44

get the text - phone the school

"hello I'm a bit concerned about this text can you check that is in school please"

Receptionist "yes certainly, hold on a few minutes and I'll phone you back"

ring, ring "Yes Ms Sleeplessshe is in school"

"OK thanks"

edam · 13/07/2009 20:47

I don't know why you've had to explain that six times, sleepless, was obvious to me (and others) from your OP.

Agree with you text is very badly worded. They should distinguish between 'your child was late' and 'your child is missing', for heaven's sake!

hocuspontas · 13/07/2009 20:47

EXACTLY sweetfall

corriefan · 13/07/2009 20:51

The text indicates she wasn't at registration and it looks to me that as far as the office are concerned she may still indeed be AWOL. That's why they send you a text isn't it? And then you ring in to say she set off in time so they check then rather than checking up on all the unregistered children before sending out the text only to be told "oh yes she's ill" or whatever.

motherpi · 13/07/2009 20:58

Absolutely with you edam//sleepless.

Surely the school should have an instantly accessible list of who is in the building? What would they do if there was a fire?

Original poster

sleeplessinstretford · 13/07/2009 21:00

falls to knees weeping
THANKYOU MOTHERPI....

OP posts:

edam · 13/07/2009 21:02

(oi, and ME!)

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:02

yes and its called REGISTRATION

which is why its so important

this is then mapped against parent calls explaining absence

and then kids who are on neither are contacted. In this case by text

do you really think there's some super-computer system / super-human in secondary schools that have 1,000 - 2,000 students that can keep a track on individuals who miss registration, whose parents can't be bothered to phone in. This is the reason for texts to determine where they are.

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:04

oh amongst the myriad of other operational issues that comes with running a school

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:04

I vote we chip 'n' pin them

motherpi · 13/07/2009 21:07

Thank you sweetfall.

A basic in/out program would need no more processing power than a calculator.

Yes, I think that knowing who is in the building is pretty important and absolutely one of the operational issues for which the school is responsible.

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:09

I'm confused but you're welcome.

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:10

I'm confused but you're welcome.

tennisaddict · 13/07/2009 21:11

< koff >

oi, sleepless, I was first to say YANBU

< picks up pieces of exploded head >

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:12

Well I'm confused but you're welcome

It's not about processing power it's about managing up to 2,000 individuals.

If they miss registration, what do you suggest a school does?

motherpi · 13/07/2009 21:13

I thanked you for your clarification of REGISTRATION

Cross-posted before your chip & pin post. Which I love

sweetfall · 13/07/2009 21:13

I am thrice confused it seems

Original poster

sleeplessinstretford · 13/07/2009 21:15

i think as an alternative they should just send a text saying 'has your daughter been abducted?hit by a car?thrown in a canal? is she possibly in bed with some spotty oik because she's not at fucking school so sort it art...'

OP posts:

corriefan · 13/07/2009 21:16

A basic in out program where individuals clock themselves in is great in theory but easily abused. Children could get a friend to clock them in and their absence go unnoticed while they go and sit in the park or whatever.

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