AIBU son left at school

[keeperswif]

AIBU second time my son wasn't put on the school bus because he told the school he was pick up. He is 7 years old, last time a friend saw him and rung me, this time school rung to say am I not collecting as he was adamant he was to be collected. I was furious he's 7 I asked why didn't they check? Last year I emailed in a joking way what a mistake please check first but they did it again.
He used to be collected on a Tuesday for football, but the boy who did has left the school... so if they had asked they would have know..
But they took his word for it...

I think if there was a different arrangement everyday, it would too much to ask the school to phone and check every time.

But as you have specifically told them by email that he will always go by bus unless you have told them otherwise, they should absolutely have checked with you.

Now they know he isn't telling the truth, they won't be doing it again.

In the meantime, why isn't he telling them the truth? Is it because he wants you to have to come and pick him up and knows that if he does that, you'll have no choice but to leave work to come and get him? What's the problem with the bus that he wants to avoid it?

I think it’s just a case of err on the side of caution. I imagine if he wasn’t usually on the bus they wouldn’t take his word for it that he was actually taking the bus. But it’s better, if he says he’s being picked up, to keep him at school to be on the safe side. No good putting him on the bus and then there’s no one to meet him when it arrives at its destination. I can see why they would be wary and keep him back. But they should have checked with you.

They've been in the bus since starting school and no problems, last term a friend used to collect on a Tuesday. He's since left that's where he got in his head. The fact is they never checked. I understand he may have got confused and that's because he's 7, when he mentioned it his teacher should have emailed us this correct. I would have no and done. Instead I got a call after school closed u need some come now, I was in the middle of work (nurse lucky at home today). Drop everything and off I go.

My expectations don't need raising.
However what does need raising is a conversation with the DC as to why, not once but twice he has taken it upon himself to tell the teachers that he was being collected instead of being put on the bus.

I think that sending a child onto bus who is telling you they arent to go on bus must be quite difficult too. What if they let him go and you were at school and nobody to collect him off bus. I think if in doubt keeping at school is best option. Probably you should have reminded him that Tues lifts no longer happening.

Everyone could have done a bit better, but nobody fid anything awful and child safe.

However what does need raising is a conversation with the DC as to why, not once but twice he has taken it upon himself to tell the teachers that he was being collected instead of being put on the bus.

Yes obviously. But every teacher and adult who has any interaction with a 7 year old knows not to take what they say at face value. How often do 7 year olds come to school on a Monday morning with takes about spending the weekend on the moon/safari/chasing aliens?!

In fairness, going to the moon is ever so slightly less likely than 'my mums picking me up today'

3:25 child says "I'm not going on the bus today" - absolutely sure of it
3:35 bus leaves.

In between, 29 other children need sending to bus/dismissing to parents.

How can the teacher email?

People talking about safeguarding - he was safe, they kept him at school. If they put him on the bus, he might have been taken home to a place where there is no adult, which would not have been safe.

Why is your 7 year old lying to his teachers?

What sanction are you imposing at home when he tells lies and refuses to get on the bus?

Is the teacher meant to hold the whole bus while the office calls you because your 7 year old tells lies?

If that contradicts what the school thinks is happening then yes of course.

Although this is a pretty old thread so I doubt OP is still reading.

But children always tell the truth! I read it on here all the time, ‘ The teacher said and my child always tells the truth!” I’d be bloody furious with my child if he told school this. Causing unnecessary work and stress for all involved. Yes school should have checked but the child needs to know the consequences of the trouble he’s caused.

Don't any of your schools have office staff? (genuine question, I'm not sure if it's something that's been cut in state schools). I'm not responsible for double checking what time my tutor group tell me they are going home or who with. If there are unusual answers, discrepanices or concerns, the office will check during the school day.

I think the writing on the hand thing is a good idea. The school would expect juniors age kids to know what to do after school I would think.

My son would still not remember at 14!!

Well quite! Child can tell them they are leaving at lunchtime but school won’t let them unless a parent turns up. Why are they listening to the child?

Zombie thread fyi

This
If told as they were getting on the bus there may not have been time to check and sending them home where there is potentially no-one to greet them is a greater risk than keeping them with you where you know they are safe. I’d rather annoy a parent with an unnecessary trip to collect than send them to an empty home. Lots of parents forget to tell school things so I’d go on the side of caution.