School want to know too much

[Balinahome]

My daughter started school this September (she’s just 5) and I had to request a days ansence due to an appointment I had which I’ve known about from before she started school. The reason stated on the request form was ‘for personal reasons I will not be able to collect my daughter from school’ As I wouldn’t be around to collect her from school and I had nobody else available to collect her so she had to go to my MIL for care until I returned from the appointment.
I received the form back from the headteacher which stated that the School cannot authorise avoidable absences which I am very irritated about as they have no knowledge of why I couldn’t collect her therefore how could they possibly know it was avoidable? I found the comment to be obtuse especially given that she is not yet of compulsory school age. I’ve sent the head a strongly worded (but not rude) email in response stating that my personal life has nothing to do with School AIBU?

We also use z for children who start mid term so aren’t required to attend

Only read the first page. Wow things have gone crazy in the UK, an Irish school would accept that without a murmur. You wouldn't even be obliged to give that much information! She's four right? Half of Europe wouldn't even be at school yet so I think she'll recover from a day at her grandmother's house. Unless that's the day the teacher is going to teach the meaning of life. Never repeated.

To be fair the school has accepted it without a murmur. They aren’t making a fuss the OP is.

And the OP says her child is five.

TERM AFTER FIFTH BIRTHDAY

She's four right? Half of Europe wouldn't even be at school yet

No, RTFT, she’s 5.

And it’s irrelevant what the rest of Europe does. The OP is in the UK.

The Z code is specifically for children not yet on role. X is for a child not required to attend, so where a special arrangement has been put in place such as when a child has special needs which mean a slow introduction to schooling. It is not for when the parent finds it inconvenient. If a child (even under 5) has gone on roll then they are expected to attend all sessions.

Yes. So X is for school holidays, children on a reduced timetable etc... as you say, when children are not required, or expected, to be in school.

However, once they are on roll, they are expected to attend.

They are expected to attend but there are no consequences for parents if they don’t

YABU you've made no effort to even meet the school halfway on this. Your daughter's schooling is not something you can pick up or drop depending on whether its at your convenience. If your MIL can look after her then she can take her to school. And for goodness sake try and meet up with her classmates parents, these things crop up regularly and you need to develop a support network.

They are expected to attend but there are no consequences for parents if they don’t

No, but there may be consequences for the child in terms of missed learning. Which is why it’s such a bad idea to put your own convenience first.

That isn’t Autumns argument

I haven't made an argument about consequences.

I have only stated that, although children below compulsory school age are not required to attend school, once they are on roll, their attendance is expected like anyone else's.

Attendance is not optional just because they are below compulsory school age once they have started.

Apologies, I only read the first page. Namaste.

If your daughter is 5 she IS compulsory school age and so they have to enforce absense regulations. If she is under 5 you can keep her off and just explain that you can’t get her there.
I am a school administrator and have to deal with unpleasant people like you every day. I am neither nosey or give a shit about your personal life. What I do care about is the smooth running of the achool and following our legal requirements in tracking the absence of children.

We do need to know WHY a child isn’t in school, we have a legal obligation to uphold our registers using the correct codes. If she’s not 5 yet it’s a very simple code. If she is 5 then they need to know why she isn’t in and you need to tell them. It’s confidential - the office will just make a note and that’s it. Be honest. It makes yours and their life easier in the long run. If you lie and then your kid tells them something different (and they always do!) then the school have to change their registers.

"If your daughter is 5 she IS compulsory school age "
FFS read the thread - compulsory school age is term after the 5th birthday.

Sometimes we don’t have time to read the whole thread! Sorry for expressing an opinion.

As a school administrator you should educate yourself on the law. No need to read the thread then.

You sound like you’re going to be one of ‘those’ parents.

I hope your daughter doesn’t suffer as a result.

Well you’re delightful! I’m new to post and it had briefly slipped my mind that it’s the term ‘after’ and not the term they turn 5 - so my apologies for obviously causing offence.

As I administer the entire school completely on my own, plus manage the first aid for 140 children, plus all the cover staff, and the HR for every member of staff, and every single census, on top of every communication to parents and chasing up forgotten swimming kits and packed lunches; I will allow myself the odd lapse in memory and be proud of the great job I do. I don’t get paid enough to be perfect! 😂

Some folk will always be snippy.....best ignored.

I missed out on being called a chav !

Chav fest??? Really?!

Haven’t read past page 3, but my son’s private school won’t authorise absences like that. They are really good, so there is a waiting list. If you take your child out unauthorised, and too often, you loose the place. The end. Many good private schools can choose their pupils...