lateness at school

[sereka]

My daughter is due to start reception in september.

The school is a train ride away and in another borough. I just read their prospectus and see that they take coming in late very seriously even reporting you to social services, but i guess that would be in extreme circumstances.

I thnik I am cursed where late is concerned, but i will try my best to be on time everyday as kids are very unsettled if they arrive late to class.

Doesnt it seem OTT though that they would send your name to the authorities just for being late .

I don't think they'd do it as a matter of course, but if your child is persistently late without good reason then they would.

I know this wouldn't apply to you, but what about a child who was left to get themselves up, fed and out to school because there wasn't an adult home with them? The first indicator of this could be that the child was always late for school.

Think they're trying scare mongering tactics because until your child is 5 yrs, they don't legally have to be in school anyway. after that, I think following the ECM (Every Child Matters) paper, schools and preschools are supposed to be considerate to the family's needs. So for example, if your child gets easily upset in crowds and with lots of noise, the teacher may suggest coming in 15 mins after registration to enable a relaxed atmosphere for your child etc. I know we did this with a preschool child when I was chair person as it was too upsetting for him with lots of kids and mums milling about getting bags and coats sorted etc.
As you have to get the train and rely upon public transport, I don't think they can tell you off for ebing late if a train is delayed???

A train delayed is a valid reason for being late. 'I tried my best' will not be seen as a valid reason!!

I'm not sure always being delayed will be looked on too kindly, especially if you have closer schools which your child could attend. Part of the choice is making sure you will be able to get your child to the school on time - at our school, and I believe the current national recommendation, is that a child arriving after a certain time (eg 1/2 hour late) is considered unauthorised absence.

Sorry to be a prophet of doom, but I know schools are cracking down on this sort of thing, and forewarned is fore armed!

OFSTED really hammer schools for late pupils, no matter how good the reason. So although they might privately understand they are quite likely to be very strict about it.

schools have to report to the counvil any absence of pupils belowcertain %

that's the law

I am not sure what's happening in case of lateness

best to be honest and let them know of your situation

You chose a school a long way from your house, and especially if there are nearer schools, you should get there on time, sorry

If it is a case of frequent lateness the EWO may also decide to check if trains really were running late and not a case of you missing it I'm afraid. They may also class it as unauthorised absence

IF is the crucial word here. If a child is not being properly looked after, then of course a referral to SS may be in order. Lateness on its own is not good reason for referral and I can't see SS being particularly impressed if they had too many trivial referrals to deal with.

I think it's an empty threat. Interesting that it was made, though - wonder if they have problems with a significant number of parents turning up late every day? Or if they've had a recent Ofsted and were picked up on it (or are due an Ofsted)?

Trying your best isn't going to cut it. You have to get there in time. I have never had my children late for school in the 5 years I have been taking them and use a very simple routine. I aim to get there for 10 minutes earlier than I really need to be so allowing 10 minutes for any unforeseen circumstances.

I was also told the EWO would be round to see us if I was late getting my children in.

The EWO would certainly make referrals to Social Services in the case of concerns over frequent lateness I'm surprised the school doesn't mention fines and court as this seems to be the route in most areas.

Bizarre to choose a school a train ride away. How are you going to manage "friends to tea"?

You may find that you need to get an earlier train to allow for the train that should get you there on time being late. Persistent lateness is viewed very dimly at ds's school (year 1) mainly because of the disruption it causes in the classroom.

Sereka, this is just a purely personal opinion,..but one coming from someone who lives in a very isolated rural area with children and livestock and working dogs to get ready in a morning and a school run of twelve miles (closest)...

I think your best IS good enough. I dont think it it bizarre to need to make a long journey/train journey to school,...I don't automatically think awakening LO's an hour (or whatever) earlier to catch a ridiculously early train to school to save 15mins at the other end is in a childs best interest. Honey, its a balance of all of your circumstances and you will work out a manageable routine in time. Sometimes a wheel or two comes off - its life. The world of your LO does not revolve around or even start with the nine o clock bell of this school!

Social services...whilst I accept that there are many legitimate reasons why persistent lateness may ring alarm bells, I would welcome any concerned social worker to talk through persistent lateness with me - if there are no sinister reasons for lateness there can be no sanction.

I wish you and your LO safe (and hopefully prompt) journeys come September.

At my school parents have typically had a very relaxed attitude to starting time. So the school has a half hour entry time from 9.00-9.30 where children and parents chat, play, read their reading books to an adult. It is relaxed and an easy start to the day, but it does mean the children get 150 minutes sliced off available curriculum time.

At my school, the day begins at 8.45am. We do the registers staight away. Anyone who arrives after 9.00am has to go the office and be marked late. Late means that according to the register, you weren't at school that morning. Each morning/afternoon is counted as seperate sessions, so if you were absent all week that's 10 non-attendences. Being late really does matter - children hate being late. They get worried about it because they arrive and see all their friends already engaged in the day. They miss out on all the social bit that goes with hanging up your coat, putting your lunch box away. I never comment to a child if that're late, but time and time again it's something that they bring up as something they don't like. I'm talking Reception children here. Also, what message does it send to the child - it's OK to be late because we live further away then other people? Not OK - you need to make sure you get a train that always gets you there on time - even if you're early. Tough words I know, sorry, but that's the way I feel.

Me too, it's disruptive to them and the class, they miss out on a lot of important stuff. The settling, the establishing of a comfortable and settling routine.
I used to use that time for intensive reading as several parents would stay behind for 15 mins or so and hear some individuals.
I'm puzzled that even though you blame fate for your poor timekeeping rather than taking responsibility for it yourself
"I think I am cursed where late is concerned"
why on earth did you choose somewhere a train ride away? If you know that you will struggle, why not pick the nearest school?
If it matters to you that she attends this school, get your act together and be on time.
That applies even if she has undisclosed sn and you have to get up earlier than the average.
Just in case it's one of those drip feed threads.

It might be a great school, but trust me for the reasons Seeker pointed out (friends for tea) you will regret choosing one far away. Your child's social development is just as important as having a great education.

I chose a school closest to the house we would be moving to, which with dd1 and dd2 in tow for the first year until we moved took 35 mins to walk to and back from.

Dd1 hated school. Her friends would all call into each others houses for an hours play before dinner. She could rarely go, as by the time I had got home it was time to collect her. They weren't allowed to go to her house as their parents weren't keen on the children going so far away. Which is understandable considering they didn't know me very well. All of her friends had gone to nursery together.

Dd1 hated this and thus began to hate school. Getting her there on a morning became a mammoth task as she would sit down on the floor howl and refuse to move. Which is not easy to deal with when you have a baby in a buggy.

We were frequently late due to her difficult behaviour and the long walk. The school inclusion officer became my best friend. She personally would drive to where ever dd1 was having a tantrum and pick her up for me.

Things got easier when we moved. Her friends can come to play. She can go to there house more often. She bumps into them in shops/the street etc during holidays. She doesn't feel so pushed out any more and thus enjoys school more.

Dd1 had a lot more going admittedly than just the distance we loved from the school, but it certainly didn't help with things.

She now has a new friend who lives just opposite us and walks to school with us every morning and calls for dd1 to go and play. Getting her to school is much easier now. I rarely see the inclusion officer any more. She is doing much better with her work and is just generally happier.

I'd try and consider a closer school if I was you. Even if they are not as good as far as oftsed is concerned your child will do better if they are happier.

We are persistently late. the school is used to it. Usually there just after 9 but bell goes at 8.55.

They don't say anything as they know we will be there shortly.

I honestly cant see how someone can know they'll be late regularly; if you know, then just leave the house earlier. We get to school beofre many people that live very close to school, because I'd rather be early than late (and the bus that would get us there with 10mins to spare is often too full to get on). Its not so nice in winter, with nowhere to shelter. But in summer, it means we usually get 15mins in the park before the school gate open

And as an aside, it takes us exactly the same time to walk to school as to get the bus (30mins) . 10 mins less on bikes in good weather!

The same children are late every day at the dc's primary school. They live a short walk away and I always wonder how they manage it. You would think that after several years, their mother would have worked out what time she needs to get up and leave the house to be on time. That really does iritate me - a late train I could understand.

BollockBrain - you sound proud that your children are late everyday - that's appalling. If nothing else, it's bad mannered, and selfish. If you only knew, the school is probably completely fed up with your attitude. All you're doing id teaching your children that it's OK to be late. Tell you what, how about the staff all turn up late - hey, they'll be along shortly. How would that be?