Another missing school for a day thread

[FimbleHobbs]

The ugly troll scarer post has reminded me to post about this.

I want to take DS (5) out of school for a Friday later in the year. I am working away for about a week at a science for schools event and DH and the DC are coming along at the weekend, but will need to come on the Friday.

DS has so far not had any sick days (touch wood) and I wouldn't take him out for trivial stuff. But is actually something educational (admittedly a lot of it is for older children so will go over his head).

Anyway my teacher friend said go for it, sounds brilliant, but tell the school he is sick.

I would really prefer not to lie, and not to ask DS to lie - AIBU to tell the school the truth or is it likely to end up in a battle with them?

SE13, I didnt think it was the teachers decision to make? I thought 'educated off site' had to be approved by the LEA.

I also had to provide evidence that my son was educated off site from the hospital.

Interesting that you used to be an attendance officer, perhaps my ds's school are being awkward!

claw3, I simply told the AAO whom I worked with that I'd authorised that code and gave her the reasons why. When we had children educated in hospital I always took on the responsibility of confirming that with the hospital - it's the last thing the parent of a sick child needs to be worrying about!

Oh, and to clarify, I wasn't an attendance officer but the teacher with responsibility for attendance (and behaviour).

This whole business annoys me. At my dd's secondary school many of the children are off this week on the school skiing trip. This apparently is fine. What do you think would be the response if I asked for a week off to go on holiday? It is double standards.

SE13, its interesting to know what schools can and cant do, if they wanted to for future reference for me!

God, i wish more teachers would just use a bit of common sense. Are you allowed to authorise it though, ie would the LEA approve it?

and can you please come and work at my ds school!

In all schools I have worked in, the absence codes have been completed by office staff. They are given strict guidelines by LEA about what constitutes educated off site, authorised absence etc. Possibly the head can use discretion?

The admin assistant who is responsible for first day calling, inputting absence codes etc. checks with me and we put in what we consider appropriate. To date the AAO has never demanded that I change one - it's about professional judgement and she's unlikely to question my judgement as a teacher that X is participating in an 'agreed educational activity' or being 'educated off-site'?