Would they let my children leave an hour early due to a weekend away?

[amy12464]

We have never done this before so I don’t want to bother ringing and asking if it’s totally the wrong thing to do. We’re going away to London tomorrow straight after school as we’re visiting family friends Saturday morning for an event. Thing is 3pm is peak traffic time and it’s going to be 4 plus hours if we leave then. I wanted to ask their teachers if they could let our children leave 1-1.5 hours early . Would they consider it? Has anyone done this in the uk specifically in a primary school. My children are under 8

I would say you have a dentist appointment

I always found the school didn’t care as long as they’d been there for afternoon registration. Did it several times.

I mean you can only ask or just say you are collecting them early for... they probably can't refuse.

My only worry is that sometimes they ask for proof to authorise it. Just don’t want to risk anything like that

Same! Pick them up after afternoon registration and say it's for dentist or optician appointments. I wouldn't do it regularly but for a one off definitely.

What time is afternoon registration ?

Oh god yes - just say I'll be collecting them early because we're going away for the weekend. Be clear you won't be making a habit of it (and school must know this about you already by the sounds of things) and acknowledge that it's not ideal but you've weighed up pros and cons etc and this is what is best for you and the kids on this occasion. I am always honest about this stuff, it's much better than lying as your kids won't drop you in it for a start, but also I find the school welcome the honesty. They can't stop you, they can't fine you. The worst that can happen is they are a tiny bit snotty with you about it.

Just say you are going to visit family for "event" you are over thinking for an hour or so.

Yes this is true. They register them after lunch so if you are picking up after then it won't impact attendance marks anyway.

'dear teacher. My children have an afternoon appointment and I will be collecting them early at [time] on Friday. Many thanks'

Simple. They are your children and you make the decision.

They are your children. What authority does the school have over your authority as their parents? (full disclaimer I am Scottish and we haves none of this nonsense when our kids were in school)

I’ve done this a few times over the years. I’m not apologetic, just factually let them know that I’ll be collecting because there’s a family weekend away. I’m honest because kids will expose any lies.

They are quite strict to be honest in the past when I’ve had to take them out early for appointments etc they’ve refused to authorise it until I’ve shown proof of the appointment so I don’t want to risk anything like that so I’d rather cut my losses and be honesr

I used to spring mine early every year on my birthday and we'd go to the cinema. Beauty and the Beast was released around my birthday in the 90s and my dd was so excited she told her teacher it was a secret but she didn't really have a dentist appointment and was going to the cinema for mummy's bday. I got a right telling off for encouraging them to lie and the teacher said you should have just said it was your birthday.

You are probably better just telling the truth they may or may not authorise it, but least you are not faffing about with stories about dentists or whatever.

Because it wouldn't impact on their attendance numbers and isn't a full 'session' I don't think it will be a case of authorising or not.

Even if school doesn't authorise the absence, you can still remove/not take your child in, it will just be marked as unauthorised absence. Obviously, if this happens a lot, then you may be fined etc.

If they’re there for the register after lunch, there is no authorising to do, as they’ll have been marked present.

they cannot refuse to let you collect your children, whatever the reason is. Up to you if you tell the truth or lie. They might try and discourage you I suppose but they won’t actually stop you.

Dear Lord, the kids are hardly back in school and you want them to bunk off? They need to be in school until the proper end of the day, and then you can leave at 4pm (or whenever). Why do some parents think school is optional?

All I was saying is it might be marked as unauthorised not that she can't take them out, I don't know about fining they don't have it where i live.

My DDs schools would be fine with it

People always advocate lying ☹️

Just tell the truth as they will likely ask for proof. It will be unauthorised but they can’t actually stop you! Fines only come in after 5 full days absence .

Just be honest. It won't be authorised, but that's unlikely to matter in the long run presumably? Our school has been told they now need proof of any appointment and as you say it's easier all round just to be open.

I have to say though for the circumstances you describe I'd just take them after school. The difference will be marginal and you keep your good will for a time when it might matter more. Most schools don't judge parents for this sort of thing every now and then at all, but if it keeps happening, it starts to be an issue for them.

Probably not but just go and take them. The school don’t own your kids

As long as they have their afternoon mark the school won‘t care. I did it a couple of times when my kids were at primary.