Taking children out of school to see Olympic torch relay

[redskyatnight]

Does anyone know if there is an official "policy" on whether taking DC out of school to see the torch relay is acceptable/not? Or is it down to individual headteachers? The relay is coming quite near us, but at 8.30am midweek - so the children would be in school by 10ish if we took them to see it. Though tbh we're a bit amibvalent about going to see it, so if it was going to be frowned upon by school, we probably wouldn't iyswim.

How about proposing to the school that they start later that day? We recently had the Queen for a visit and all schools in the inner part of the borough went with all pupils and the outer borough ones sent 30 pupils per school.

We have the torch coming at the first day of Summer holiday but I think as the school actually does an Olympic week I would think they would have supported this idea.

The Olympic Torch is coming to our nearest city (we live in a village about 8 mile away)and DD's school are actually lining the route, as are a number of local schools. It might be worth asking your school if they have any plans to do something similar. There's a big Olympic themed week happening at school that week as I believe we are the only city that the torch is coming to twice.

It's coming through the town we live in. Our school has said that because they are unable to take the entire school to see it, they are happy for parents to take their children but they must be in school by 10.30am (it's here at 9.30am). They have handed out letters with a slip to fill in to say whether you're taking them or not.

I'm still undecided.

Our primary schools are keeping registers open until 11.00am to accommodate this. It is, afterall, probably a once in a lifetime thing.

Interesting question, the torch is coming past Daddy's office, so we can get a birdseye view, problem is it isn't until late morning and school is 20 mins away, so will be a large chunk of the day, bearing mind all the roads will be shut off.

The torch is going fairly near to the school first thing, but children won't be going out, purely because of logistics and getting them over to the area that it would be safely - wonder if it worth asking the question?!

The torch is coming to our town and the kids are being released from school at 1.15pm so that they can all go to see it.

It's coming through our town at about 5.00pm and schools are allowing pupils to be picked up early as roads will be closed, from about 2.00pm onwards. Our scout group have booked a spot in the local park and will be having a stall there as the torch goes past.

just make sure the bit of the route you are planing to watch is a running bit not a driving in a car bit - less exciting to watch it in a convoy of vehicles at 40 miles an hour

Our school is granting leave of absence for the whole day and we are to keep them at home for the whole day so people aren't coming and going. We have to apply specially, though it will be granted.

I guess each school is different...

All 469 children in the DCs school have been invited to walk down together to line the route (it's coming through our town). All staff have agreed to be in at 8am so we can start walking at 8.15. It's up to parents and a few children aren't going, but most are. I'm quite excited, but feel sorry for DH, who isnt allowed to go in late to his school, even though the kids there are. And he really cares about seeing it

It's coming to just round the corner from us at 9.05am (great timing somebody). School can't cope with the logistics of marching 200 children down to see it so have said they are allowed to arrive late.

Sabriel
is that bit in the car or actually on foot?
do check
as there have already been a few disappointed people
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9278263/Olympic-torch-bearers-surrounded-by-over-a-dozen-vehicles.html

We've got a bit on foot up to 9.05 and then the car convoy. I suspect the car convoy bit towards the MWay will cause maximum chaos and will stop me getting to work.

Hi
I have followed the official channels and requested my daughter to take holiday tomorrow to see the Olympic torch, yesterday I was refused verbally due to her attendance, this morning I appealled in wrting against this as she was in hospital twice last year. Today, I have had letter to say 'the reason for absence does not constitute an 'exceptional circumstance'. Can anyone give me some advice I did not wish to take my daughter out of school without authorisition. Thank you, Kind regards

Watch it on TV.

Sharon2203 - if 'a once in a lifetime' occurance isn't an exceptional circumstance I don't know what is! The torch passed my way yesterday and today - our school allowed early pickups and late drop offs this morning so children could be taken to see it. They have all raved about it today - including our Headteacher! So I would really try to convince them its worth it. It is a historical and cultural experience for them. Say your daughter will do a show and tell on it - talk in assembly - whatever it takes to get the Head to relent! Several of our children got to hold one of the torches and had their photos taken with the runners.

Our school is letting the children leave early.

It came past us this morning about 8.30am and last week school just changed the starting time for today day to 10am to accommodate people seeing the torch. Not sure how that went down with parents who had to be at work as normal..... My 2 enjoyed an extra hour in their pyjamas!

I'm almost jealous of people with this "problem"

The torch route is within a hundred metres of our house on a Saturday, so no school issues.

Fab you say, yes but it will be at 06:15am, OUCH!

I think its fair to expect permission to come in later as it is educational. My dd gets time off for music and dance exams, but I always ask and put it in writing. She is always back asap and I wouldn't take the mickey.

My school is opening late 'so the children can watch the relay' so I am supposed to take her in at 12 just until 3pm. The relay is on the other side of town at Early O'clock and I am pondering just taking her out for the whole day rather than take her in to eat lunch and maybe an hour of school. I am wondering whether to request authorised absence for it ( I am usually the never take them out of school type!)

How on earth anyone who works is supposed to be arrange a 12pm drop off I don't know.