So DS1 just walked out of school today - he is eight!

[Virgil]

I am inclined to go ballistic at the school. Clearly he is partly to blame and should never have left the school premises but surely they are required to prevent this!! He left something in DH's car and left school to see whether DH was still around (it was first thing). School is in the middle of a red light district (nice!) with lots of dodgy types around. Also on a very busy main road with trams going down a hill and a blind corner.

How "understanding" would you be with the Head (who is due to call me back). There is a security guard on the gate who presumably either saw him and did nothing or wasn't paying any attention.

Is this Nottingham?

I think if you're paying the fees then you have a right to expect extra care-these kind of schools sell themselves on their wrap around care. Ordinary state schools are from bell time.

If it is where I think it is then, I know it's a red light area, but it's not terrible at that time and the trams do stop for people-so no harm done and he'll know for next time.

Zingelly. Our school take responsibility for the children from 8.15 when a member of staff is on the gate.

If you take your child in before that you have to stay with them.

School start 9.45am.

Where do you live??

When I went to school it wasn't even fenced - let alone had a security guard and the only children that were monitored were the children with special needs - the rest of us just stayed in the grounds because that was what was expected of us.... security guards??? I'd be moving if that was necessary at my kids school.

If it's a private school then it's different - if you are paying for care from 8.30am or whenever then you should get it.

The school need to review their safeguarding in the mornings - maybe children need to be signed in, more staff need to be on duty, children need to be in a room inside rather than milling in the playground where they could wander off.

I would check your school policy before shouting off.
We had a booklet when dc started school which set out expectations for dc arriving at school. They should have a policy for this and it is up to you as a parent to know what this is.
I can see why you are upset or angry but you need to talk to your ds about keeping safe and his responsibility to himself.

If my 8 year old left the school grounds I would be having serious words with her because she absolutely knows at this age that leaving the school grounds is completely unacceptble. In our case children go into the grounds and the teachers informally monitor them while many, many parents look on but I and many other parents have a drop off for younger children to another school with the same start time so we are not there before the bell goes. For this reason we rely on our kids having the sense to stay in at the school which they do. I think you would be unreasonable to blame the school.