Would you let your child miss the last half day of school?

[Kardelen]

my sons last day of school is this Friday.
it’s a half day- he finishes 1:30.

they don’t do any breakfast clubs or afterschool clubs as it’s the last day, so I’m a bit stuck in ways I can send him to school.

has anyone’s child missed last day of school?

I feel a bit sad as I’m thinking he may have a lot of fun that day…. But I’m completely stuck.

I'm always amazed at how holier than thou most mumsnetters are about school attendance.

My attendance all through school was <50% (neurodiversity) and I got straight As and A*s. Most of mainstream education is just going over the same stuff over and over. Especially in reception where it's just colouring in.

So yes on last day of term I often keep my kids off. Or, shock horror, get an earlier flight on holiday. The last half day they are absolutely not doing any learning, they are most likely helping the teacher pack up the classroom. He'll learn more staying home and looking and books.

Agree that people are being thick.

The person at home is clearly unable to drive and or have public transport. Maybe it’s an older teen ( year 11’s have finished).

Just keep them home. What else can you do?

The attendance situation changes as the child moves through school though. In this situation it makes no difference.
As the child moves through the school system parents find networks of support or change work patterns if that’s not enough. Working parents are showing their kids the importance of work and showing up.

I’m sure you knew in advance so had plenty of time to hire a childminder or make alternative arrangements. That being said, last afternoon and he’s young no no harm. Maybe get him to do maths or spellings in that time.

OP drops kid at breakfast club, then picks up from after school club. Neither of these things are running on the last day of term. OP has someone who can look after them at home whilst they work, but presumably they don't drive so it isn't feasible for them to drop off and pick up from school, especially for a short day.

No. You need to figure out a way to get him there. Do not teach him that if it’s a bit difficult he doesn’t have to go.

Mine missed the last 3’days of school as we were going on holiday

Given it’s a boy I wouldn’t worry too much.

however I am
sure your insightful input has made the OP whip out her emergency magic carpet to enable someone to pick him up at 1.30

or use some of her absolutely limitless annual leave to do it herself

Keep him home OP.

I can assure you he will grow up just fine unlike some ridiculous reasons pp are mentioning.

My DC are in their mid 20s now and quite often didn't go in the last day. As did half the class. And they are both bright and well adjusted adults now.

I will say though, that if something really good was happening that day, they would. But if it was a bring your snakes and ladders in type of day, they didn't go. We would call it Hooky Day and go and grab and ice cream or something to start the holiday off.

It's not as complex as some folk are making out here ffs.

Just let him stay at home OP. It’s really hard when you rely on breakfast and after school clubs and they don’t run! It’s also hard when you don’t get to meet any school mums because you drop off early and pick up late. You just haven’t had the chance to build up a network of support yet. It’s fine for your boy to miss the final half day of school. I wouldn’t worry about it in Reception. But I would let the school know that you’re stuck without the before and after school clubs next term and make sure you start getting your Plan B in place for the years to come.

This ⬆️
Absolutely nails it

Mine aren’t going in on the last day (they finish at 1pm)… we’re going camping. ⛺️ ☀️
Not even sorry.

So many high horses in here… life is for living.

😂😂 really?! You’d actually make the poor kid do maths etc.

plus it’s the morning.

madness on here. Someone else suggested a childminder!

nothing bad will happen if he misses some “finishing off” and a film

Hey, there will be very little going on on the last day of term - particularly if it's only a half day. It's only reception, so in all honesty, just let him stay home and be cared for by whoever you have lined up!
FWIW, we're likely going to have to keep my son off school last day of term because of the activity being planned being totally unsuitable. For him and a school setting - think loud and flashing lights!!

I'd be open to it, especially in reception.

My DS2's school has the last half day as optional and provided an online alternative for those who can't or won't make it in over a month ago to complete. I guess they're very used to this issue. My DS2 and all the other kids are aware of this as the school is open with them on it. He's chosen to go in, but he is able to make it in himself and we live quite close compared to a lot of the kids going there.

I would if your DC is happy to do so. I keep mine I would say roughly about once a month out of school to spend mum-son day and have fun, It’s our little secret and he loves it!

Your mother had a much more flexible routine.

It does not sound like OP is happy about it, that's why they've posed the question.

Teachers will not consider it rude, they tend to be supportive people who understand the difficulties families have.

He won’t be missing anything on the last half day so I would keep him off if it’s impossible to manage. However, you need to think ahead for how this is going to work in future years. As he gets older and is more aware of what is going on, he may be sad to miss the end of term fun with his friends. Where I am, lots of local schools go to one of the parks and have a picnic and water fight after school finishes on the last half day in the summer. It’s a really fun way to end the year, the kids love it and it’s a good chance to meet other parents if you don’t already know them. Worth planning half a day’s holiday for so your son doesn’t miss out.

Oh god, I’d not even think twice about it - it’s half a day for a 5 year old, if I was having bother getting him there and back he’d be staying home wit me.

These type of posts always attract the ‘he HAS to attend school no matter what’ brigade. Keep him off, literally nothing will happen they will be pissing about playing games and the like all morning it really doesn’t matter and you’ll never think about it again, he won’t miss out on anything

Seriously, hes reception age. Whatever he does miss he won't remember by September. Let his holidays start early. The teachers will be grateful there js one less super excited child, believe me.

Agree. Alot of obtuse posters on this thread.

Hes your son. Do whatever you think is best , you don’t need a lecture from strangers on the internet.

Surely you realise how poor the outcomes are for 99% of children who only manage 50% attendance though?

that said, OP I would keep him off and not worry. As another poster says, full time working parents often have a family life that looks different and decisions have to be made.

hope you get the place at a closer school soon 😁

Book a taxi

The UK government is considering a bank holiday on Friday 24th July if England win the World Cup.

My son's school is due to close for the school holidays at 3pm on that day. So he would miss his last day at primary school because the government decided to shut the school if this happens.

So no it can't possibly be that important to be in school that day.

I personally am slightly pissed at the proposal. I want England to win the WC. I would like an extra bank holiday. But I also do want DS to miss his very last day at primary as that would really suck. Especially as there are plans made for a party that day straight after school.

It would be a damp squib to a cohort who missed half of reception and year 1 to COVID already.

The proposal shows up how ridiculous the government is over being precious about school attendance on the last day of school too. It makes a mockery of the entire point.