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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

AIBU to be late on the first day at school?

38 replies

madmumdriver · 29/08/2018 19:30

Basically, we are 1,500 miles away from home with our car, a 24hrs drive. DH and me are free until two days after school starts.
I'm of the opinion we should extend our stay, be one day late for school, and consequently see my relatives and attend a family event that we miss every year. DH is very strict with first day of school being super important, kids are Y2 and Y4. How important is that first day?

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Original poster

madmumdriver · 29/08/2018 20:51

opinion anyone?

OP posts:

Sophieelmer · 29/08/2018 20:54

Skip school, it’s not like it’s a new school and they have to get to learn all about their new surroundings. You won’t be the only ones not there!

hiddeneverything · 29/08/2018 21:50

Skip school

Itchytights · 29/08/2018 21:51

Skip school.

VanessaShanessaJenkins · 29/08/2018 21:57

As a teacher I usually tell people to not worry about talking the odd day off etc. However the first day for 2 primary aged children I really wouldn't advise missing unless they were ill.
The first day is where everyone will find out their seats and where to hang their coat and go over class rules and procedures specific to that class. There will probably be an assembly by the head which may contain news etc too. Classroom jobs will probably be assigned (monitors etc). I imagine it would be quite strange going back on a different day to your peers and missing all the first day info.

LemonysSnicket · 29/08/2018 22:39

They'll just be writing their names on their books etc, although I always loved the first day

cariadlet · 29/08/2018 22:46

I think that it never hurts to miss the last few days of the summer term, but it would be a really bad idea to miss the first few days of the new school year if it's avoidable.

It might be the same school, but changing year groups means a new teacher, new routines, new groupings. They will definitely be doing more than just writing their names on books. There will be lessons that introduce new topics and maybe some initial assessments.

cariadlet · 29/08/2018 22:50

It does seem a shame that you miss a family event every year. Have you ever said how much you would like to attend and how sad you are that it's always at the beginning of the school year?

Maybe in future whoever organises it could bring it forward a few days.

AdventuresRUs · 29/08/2018 22:55

Really wouldn't. I normally say yes and as an ex teacher still dont mind if people take a week or two midterm.

However the forst few days are when the class bonds and gets used to new routines and all the information is given out. I still rememeber missing the firat couple of days of year 6 (family wedding so good reason) amd finding it really tricky to settle in as a child.

I really wouldnt.

EffYouSeeKaye · 30/08/2018 07:01

Probably not unless it’s really important and a memory that can’t be made any other way/time. End of summer, yes, or even mid-term but September no. Lots of information, grouping, assessments and just generally settling back in. Absolutely not just writing names on books.

I agree it’s really sad if you keep missing a family event every year though. Weigh it up, it’s obviously your call, but don’t count on them not missing much at school.

ThanosSavedMe · 30/08/2018 07:05

I wouldn’t. First couple of days are quite important in how things are set up

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear.

Why is this big annual family event held in term time, can it not be moved next year?

5000KallaxHoles · 30/08/2018 08:04

I wouldn't for the first day - although DD2's missing the afternoon of the second day for a medical appointment (bang goes another year of 100% attendance) which is less than ideal.

Kool4katz · 30/08/2018 08:22

Skip it. If they're still at primary, presumably they're still with the same class group as last year or is it a big school and they mix up the groups into different classrooms?

AdventuresRUs · 30/08/2018 10:06

All our schools in our area (tons!) mix children every year. Even if they didnt they would still have a new teacher and new routines as its a different year.

ASauvignonADay · 30/08/2018 10:07

I wouldn't. First few days are important for settling in. Plus you'll have the school on your back about attendance from day one.

DisgustedofSouthend · 30/08/2018 10:09

skipping school sounds reasonable.

SassitudeandSparkle · 30/08/2018 10:11

I wouldn't either. I do think they will miss out on the chats with their friends, as well as the first day bonding.

Are you out of the UK?

RedSkyLastNight · 30/08/2018 10:27

Presumably this is not a spur of the moment trip, so why are you suddenly deciding now that you don't want your DC to go back to school for the start of term? If you were going to do this, it would at least be courteous to have let the school know in advance so that teachers can make necessary preparations.

NonaGrey · 30/08/2018 10:30

First day of school is important. There’s lots of getting to know you stuff, learning the teachers rules etc.

Hard for little ones to start off the term in the back foot.

continuallychargingmyphone · 30/08/2018 10:31

I’d skip school.

Caaarrrl · 30/08/2018 10:42

I'm a year 3 teacher and I think that the first day back is one of the worst that you can skip (sorry!). Children will be getting to know new seating plans, new class and teacher's rules and expectations which may be very different from previous teacher.

It makes it difficult for a child to fit back in when they have missed all the first day activity and routines. They will also have proper full lessons not just writing names on books. They will miss the start of new topics etc.

hels71 · 30/08/2018 13:48

Dd missed the first two days of year 5 as she was ill. She still complains about it...

DisgustedofSouthend · 30/08/2018 14:18

Visiting the family can be seen as more important in the grand scheme of things.

laptopdisaster · 30/08/2018 17:37

Go back. they get all the orientation stuff on the first day, I'd have hated to miss it.

RSTera · 30/08/2018 18:13

I'm also a teacher and I have no problem with kids missing school in term time.

However, I wouldn't miss the first day back. As a PP said, it's probably the ONLY week I wouldn't want a kid to miss. Teachers will be setting up routines and expectations which are really important and the kids reconnect socially.

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