Is a dying grandparent a valid reason to let a child have time off school?

[QuintessentiallyQS]

My mums doctor has said if we leave it until the 25th we may not find my mum still alive. She has weeks, possibly months, but it is hard to predict.

I am not sure whether there is any point in asking for the last week off, to maximize on the chances of us getting to see mum and say good bye.

It does not matter for her, she has dementia and is not aware of her new diagnosis. She has cervical cancer, and the tumor is 20 cm diameter, and it has possibly spread to stomach and intestines.

I'm sorry OP to hear your news. Can't advise but will bump. Good luck.

So sorry to hear your news, yes I think this is a good enough reason. Talk to school about your dilemma and I hope they will be understanding

I took my DS out for a day ( Friday) so we could visit a terminally ill relative for a long weekend. The school were fine. So sorry OP sounds a very difficult time.

Thanks for sympathy.

There is no point for us in going for a long weekend only, and too expensive. We already have tickets to go for summer, they are £700 return for me and the kids, it is a very long journey with connecting flights.

I think I'd just go if they are awkward about it. She's their grandmother and it's important they see her. So sorry to hear about your mother, Quint.

Go in and explain the situation to the head teacher, explain it will be their last chance to see her and ask them when would be the least disruptive to take them. Ime they can be very understanding and, although they may not be able to authorise it, they can be understanding about not reporting it.

I think I'd ask for permission but just go anyway, as Abraid said.
And bear in mind that, sadly, deterioration is rapid at this stage, so the sooner you can go the more likely they are to 'see' more of the grandmother they know, iyswim.
Sorry about your situation.

Oh you poor things. I cant imagine the school would say no....

As a Headteacher, I would say yes. Sorry to hear this and hope you get to spend some time with your Mum and the children with their Grandmother.

I need to take my two out of school to scatter my uncle's ashes at his home a few hours away....it's being done on a weekday, so needs must.

I never normally take my kids out (and I'm a parent gov) but whether there is permission or not, this needs to happen. It's important.

So if you feel that way, OP, I think you need to do it too. If there is any flexibility for you as to when, then you can make it easier for the school and possibly your kids by talking to the Head about when is easiest - but I don't think there should be any question that saying goodbye might take priority, this time.

I'm so sorry for your news, and wish you well through a difficult time.

What Elibean said. This needs to happen.
And I'm a teacher.
I'm so sorry to hear your family are going through this. I hope being together gives you strength.

I have not told the kids yet. We got the news on Friday, so it is all rather "new", and I dont really know how to break it to them. I wanted ds1 to finish his last week of school first.

I took my DC out of school to visit my dad in ICU - it was the last time they saw him alive - he died the night before our next scheduled visit.

I am very glad I did.

Ah, Quint....I answered before without having time to see who the OP was

I'm so sorry. I was sorry anyway, but now I know it's you I'm sorry again....xx

Thanks Elibean

I emailed the head, and she said not to worry, it would be brought to the governors as compassionate leave.

I am pleased to hear this!