Ex taking ds out of college but won’t get permission.

[Juststopit]

My ex is 100% Disney dad - only sees ds weekky for a trip to the cinema , never does any parenting etc.
He’s booked tickets to a sporting event for the weekend and will need to take ds out of school for one day. Ds is 16 and at college where they are super strict about leave. I am fine with ds going but should I insist he applies for leave or just let it go. Ex has never been to the college , doesn’t want to receive reports etc. It just boils my piss that he does fun stuff and nothing else and will probably just email them and tell them he’s off sick.

Is he year 11 or 12?

He’s year 11.

He’s doing a btec and 2 a levels and the btec has an assessment that may be on the date he needs off. But he booked tickets anyway and will no doubt paint me as a spoil sport for bringing it up! Funnily enough my son has just said he’s rather not go if he hasn’t got permission from the college. More sensible than his dad !

Ah. That is a tricky situation then. Can he find out for sure about the assessment?

Dates won’t be confirmed until nearer Easter unfortunately. I think my son is set on just going for the weekend anyway. The college are so strict on attendance and he can’t afford to miss an assessment. His father however will not see this .....

As it’s college and the age of Ds. I would tell Ds he needs to talk to his dad about this

I don't think it matters much about applying for permission as permission would definitely not be granted for this anyway. there is no difference between an unauthorised absence where permission was applied for and denied vs where there was no application for permission.

much more important is the general attitude - and the fact that your DS seems more mature and responsible than his dad! quite rightly your DS wants to put his education and qualifications first over a spring event and he should be supported in this. it is ok for him to say no to his dad and only be available for fun times outside of college hours.