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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

Can you take your reception child home for the afternoon without needing to write into the school for authorised absence?

29 replies

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 10:43

A few of the children in dd's class will be picked up by their mum's at lunchtime if the mum believes when they drop their child off that their child is too tired to do a full day that day. I was wondering if you just ask to take them home at lunchtime, or if you need a letter stating why you are taking them home.

We have a photographer coming tomorrow afternoon to do a photo shoot for a newspaper article on myself and dd, and he wants dd to be in it and to have the afternoon off school. What do I do? It isn't a regular occurrance, I have never asked for time off before, so am worried school will say no. If I can just ask to take her home at lunchtime I don't feel too bad, but if I have to tell them why I am worried that they will say no.

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peachface · 10/02/2009 10:46

Think you've answerd your own question there! I would imagine it's best to check with the school what the procudure is but if you think they'll say no to your reason for taking dd home, but you are going to do it anyway, then I guess you'll just take her home at lunch.
None of the reception children go home at lunchtime at my ds's school so I've not heard of that before!

Madsometimes · 10/02/2009 10:48

Most schools do allow children absence for family events. Given that you are only asking for a half day, then I doubt they will say no, but you will need to let them know, probably in writing.

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 10:50

They all do at ours! Some children' haven't yet done a full day in reception!

I feel really bad because it is a really important piece for the university I am at, it isn't a "my dd has a nice dog" piece in the local gazette or anything, and so it is quite important that I stay on the right side of the newspaper and the university. I've been so excited about this and now I just feel sick!

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LackaDAISYcal · 10/02/2009 10:52

Can you ask one of the other mums what the procedure is?

Reception is a full day at our school as it's proper school. Same rules apply to absences as per other year groups.

peachface · 10/02/2009 10:55

Wow, not done a full day yet - and they started school in September? Our school starts them on full days from day one with no ill effects. That aside, it's best to check with the school because whilst you might not want to get on wrong side of the paper or uni, you also don't want to get off on the wrong foot with your dd's school!

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 10:57

Ok, I will ask. DD's school is a proper school too, I promise-it goes up to year 6-it is just a very small school!

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Gorionine · 10/02/2009 11:08

In our school you have to say in advance (unless child unexpectedly poorly)and write a few words to explain the absence when the child comes back to school. Any absence not accompanied by a note is written down as "unautorised absence" and if you have several of those you get a visit from the welfare officers.

I had never heard of reception children going back home at lunch time on a regulare basis because they are too tired to go for a full day.

becklespeckle · 10/02/2009 11:11

At my school we are allowed to take them out of school for appointments and such and am sure they would make allowances in a case like yours too. They do prefer, however, that the child is taken out after afternoon registration so that the child is marked as present for their records (as I think the schools are judged on their attendance among other things for OFSTED or somesuch)

Cammelia · 10/02/2009 11:15

Are the ones going home regularly only 4 years old, because children don't have to attend f/t school till their 5th birthday

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 11:17

Yes, the ones going home are 4, as is dd. I don't think I sent in a sicknote when dd was off last term-argh! I am happy to take her after registration if they prefer.

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Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 11:17

Gosh I sound sharp today, sorry

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Cammelia · 10/02/2009 11:23

You sound fine to me

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 11:26

Thanks Cam . Am worried as dd was off Wed-Fri last week with an ear infection, so it looks like I am doing another bunk, but this thing has been going on since Nov, and the photographer only rang this am-argh!

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Gorionine · 10/02/2009 11:29

I have to ask, why are you going to be on the papers, it sounds exiting!

Cammelia · 10/02/2009 11:29

I think it will be fine with the school, and if its for a newspaper article they might see, its probably best to come clean

You can apologise for the short notice on the grounds that you were given very short notice

NAB09 · 10/02/2009 11:30

Since it is for your studies I think they will be very mean to say no and in that case maybe not send hr in at all?

NAB09 · 10/02/2009 11:31

In our school the younger ones do just mornings until after Christmas and there is a space for them to have a nap if they are really tired.

morningpaper · 10/02/2009 11:32

I think I would be honest because otherwise she will tell them all anyway

Cammelia · 10/02/2009 11:33

This is v. true

Bramshott · 10/02/2009 11:33

At our school you are allowed to pick them up early or keep them off on say a Friday if they are very tired in Reception.

As what you are asking for is slightly I would just ask the office if they have a form for reqesting absence. I think schools are usually more relaxed about 4 year olds.

Bramshott · 10/02/2009 11:34

Sorry - slightly different that should have said. Yes, I agree, she will tell them .

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 10/02/2009 11:45

I would be honest-I work there on a Thurs and Fri so dare not slip up!

It is going to be in (gasp) The Times!! It's about Strong Women (emotionally, not physically-I'm fat!), as I am doing an Oxbridge Law degree as a single parent and my mum died of cancer mid way through last year (my first year), so it gets REALLY lonely. However, knowing myself as I do the article may come out as "pile of goo hyperchondriac woman molly coddled by elitist university!"

The other side of it is what it is like for dd growing up inside a College (we live right in the centre of the College Quad) and watching dvd's in Don's rooms, and having dinner in Hall in the evening, and messing around on a grand piano and running through the grounds on a Sunday afternoon-pretty fun stuff really!

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Cammelia · 10/02/2009 11:50

That sounds interesting, when will it be in the paper?

I did my anthropology/education degree as a single parent (Oxford Poly though) of my first child, 1979-1982

I think I was the only single parent there at that time

Didn't live anywhere as lovely as a College Quad though

Gorionine · 10/02/2009 11:51

I am sure the article is going to be really good! You can be very proud of yourself.

Tell the school they might get mentionned in The Times to smooth them down!

pavlovthecat · 10/02/2009 11:55

If dd is only 4, not 5, just let them know at lunch time she is coming home, or just phone them now to let them know and remind them tomorrow. If she is not legally expected to be at school full time, it cannot be unauthorised absence can it?

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