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Original poster

People taking children out of school...

46 replies

Maybenotanother · 12/03/2020 10:06

If someone was to take their children out of school due to fears of CV(before schools are officially closed), would the school report the absences? As in, could the parent/s get into trouble for it?

OP posts:
Helpwithaversion · 12/03/2020 10:09

I’ll let you know as we’ve done it .....just waiting to see what happens

Pinkflipflop85 · 12/03/2020 10:10

At the moment it would be unauthorised absence in our school.

GinNotGym19 · 12/03/2020 10:11

Ours is Unauthorised absence because they said they’ve been told to run as normal. They said if anything changes they’ll be given a code to log it under.

mambanumber5 · 12/03/2020 10:43

I think you just tell the school you decided to self isolate. It will be the official advice by next week anyhow. We are thinking of taking ours out from next week, I'm pregnant, one of my children is immuno compromised, my dad is in his 80's and keeps getting pneumonia anyway. I would like to limit our chances of getting it given that I think they are only waiting for the Easter holidays so that the schools are shut anyhow. I don't think my children are likely to be badly affected but they will be carriers and could pass it on to the much more vulnerable.

I started off thinking this was all mass hysteria but actually the more I read the more concerned I am becoming. This is not a quick thing, we are going to be affected for months yet and I think decisive action needs to be taken. I'm very frustrated that big eg sporting events haven't been cancelled.

mambanumber5 · 12/03/2020 10:44

For what it's worth, given the circumstances I don't think they will fine you.

AdoptedBumpkin · 12/03/2020 11:02

It depends on the school. I won't be doing it as the school is only a few minutes' walk away and DD would have to stay in the house all day to avoid being seen.

Starbuck8419 · 12/03/2020 11:03

Has the school announced that there’s been an outbreak of it/case of covid?

Kmx123 · 12/03/2020 12:09

No prosecution for parents that remove child from school during a pandemic.

Petition
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300399

Just seen this please post to make more parents aware !

whatwouldkatyactuallydonext · 12/03/2020 12:34

I've heard absolutely nothing from either of my dc's schools about Coronavirus, but did get an email from dd's primary school yesterday reminding parents about the unauthorised absence procedure and fines etc.
Felt like a deliberate warning for anyone thinking of removing kids from the school.

Dreamgirl1000 · 12/03/2020 13:12

I wrote to the headmistress asking for her permission to withdraw my Dd from school.
She said that the school is obliged to report any unauthorised absences over 10 days to the social services.
I will withdraw her nine days before the holidays.
My Dd is 18, I don't understand what will social services do? She is officially an adult, isn't she?

Kmx123 · 12/03/2020 13:14

I got one of these letters too and was disgusted all they care about at my kids school is attendance my kids have been vomiting before and told to come in i will see what happens today but if it keeps getting worse they will be removed and i will de register them
There school doesnt even have handwash in the toilets i checked yesterday and none in my younger sons nursery toilets but hes got a bad cold so staying off anyways

Kmx123 · 12/03/2020 13:15

Nothing i dont know why they told you that when there 18 anyone with younger kids can home educate

ritatherockfairy · 12/03/2020 13:23

Thank you for the link upthread - I have signed.

At the moment I think I will be taking mine out from tomorrow. One has a hospital appointment so wouldn't be there anyway. The other is due to go on a school trip Hmm for which I may just withdraw my permission.

Interesting to hear from others that have already done this.

Devlesko · 12/03/2020 13:27

Take them out, lots of people are doing it. If they make it difficult say you are self isolating, they can do fuck all.
Lots are doing it now, the gov haven't our bests interests at heart.
I don't see why so many are surprised by this.
They don't own you, do what's best for your family.
Will we get into trouble? Who gives a shit, family and health/ keeping alive is more important.

FaFoutis · 12/03/2020 13:33

I took mine out today. A person in a teaching position has tested positive and my child is in an at risk group. I haven't heard anything from the school but if they want to fine me they can.

Jerseygaly · 12/03/2020 13:38

I have.
However other dc had a severely long fever and lethargy the week after half term.
Now school age one had sore throat and slight fever yesterday anyway.
I've had a fever too and tight chest.
But obviously wouldn't get tested as not been out of the country.

Jerseygaly · 12/03/2020 13:41

If they try to fine me i will be telling the media...
That they won't let us remove our kids even if we or they had health concerns.
And more importantly im convinced many private school kids will be off and they have longer 4w holidays too.I
If they can cope with that so can my child

Cissyandflora · 12/03/2020 13:50

Yes it would be unauthorised at our school. I was hoping to hear of closures today but it appears Boris is not going to sanction that practical step.

Cissyandflora · 12/03/2020 13:51

We have a social worker and because of that I’m not allowed to take the children out of school. I would if I could though.

Notthemessiah · 12/03/2020 13:54

Don't think mine will be going back after today. DS1 just texted me to say that a friend of his is being tested right now as he came back from the US with flu (or so he thought) and then came back to school after a week of still not feeling 100%

I think all three will be 'ill' tomorrow.

Notthemessiah · 12/03/2020 13:55

At least if the test comes back positive anyway

Notthemessiah · 12/03/2020 13:58

Ireland have just closed all of their school as well I see - it feels like the UK is about the only country not doing it at the moment. What does our government know that the Irish do not that supposedly makes it OK to keep them open? Seems more likely they are just taking a punt and wanting to get a bit closer to Easter holidays, desperately hoping that the virus will happily comply with out term dates.

ScrimpshawTheSecond · 12/03/2020 14:06

I'm in Scotland. As far as I know, we have the right to educate our kids from school, but normally need to 'ask permission' before doing so from the LA. I don't know, but I think England/Wales/N Irleand may be different?

Personally I felt the time for closing schools was right - pandemic declared and the first community transfer in Scotland.

Anyway, I emailed the head this morning to say I was withdrawing the kids and planning education with/for them myself.

She's said she'll send some links and resources, I don't think it's a problem. I would also imagine the fewer kids in school the better all round.

Obviously this is an extraordinary situation - I am hoping it won't be for very long but am preparing for a fair stretch.

ScrimpshawTheSecond · 12/03/2020 14:06

*from home, obvs.

Hoggleludo · 12/03/2020 14:20

It should. By law be written as Y. The government said that a few days ago.