Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
School holidays

Find half term and school holiday activity ideas.

Original poster

A family emergency and school holidays dilemma

6 replies

SleepyTinker · 09/12/2024 20:14

Hello all.

Due to the severity of circumstances, I'd keep thi short. Please ignore my errors as I'm not in the right state of mind.

My dad has been really sick for a while,now have been given a final answer. To meet him in the last few days of his life , I would like to take my children ages 6 and 9. It's about 2 weeks holidays that I'll be taking before Christmas holidays commences. I'm really worried if my children's names will be put off the school register for unauthorised absences? I have proof of my dad's illness and reports to show to the headteacher, unfortunately she's not available for the next 2 days. I'm booking a flight for this Wednesday for us to travell.

Please someone provide me with some reassurance on children's unauthorised absences resulting in dismissal from school.

OP posts:
HoundsOfSmell · 09/12/2024 20:19

The worst you will get is a fine if anything. A state school cannot make a child leave after a two week absence to visit a grandparent on their death bed.

Book, email the head and go. It’s not a holiday, you are caring for your grandad in his final days

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2024 20:28

They won't be taken off role but you could get a fine.
However, is this the right thing for them? Sounds like they have never met him and travelling some distance to meet a dying man they don't know may not be in their best interests.
If you go without them (assuming its possible) you will be able to focus solely on your Dad and help the rest of the family if he passes while you are there.

I am sorry your Dad is so ill and you will probably lose him

Original poster
SleepyTinker · 09/12/2024 22:02

HoundsOfSmell · 09/12/2024 20:19

The worst you will get is a fine if anything. A state school cannot make a child leave after a two week absence to visit a grandparent on their death bed.

Book, email the head and go. It’s not a holiday, you are caring for your grandad in his final days

Thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
Original poster
SleepyTinker · 09/12/2024 22:04

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2024 20:28

They won't be taken off role but you could get a fine.
However, is this the right thing for them? Sounds like they have never met him and travelling some distance to meet a dying man they don't know may not be in their best interests.
If you go without them (assuming its possible) you will be able to focus solely on your Dad and help the rest of the family if he passes while you are there.

I am sorry your Dad is so ill and you will probably lose him

My children have been with their grandad about 4 times before his terminal illness. They still speak on the phone ,until now. They are aware of his serious illness but not that he's about to leave us. Thank you for your kind words, really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2024 22:08

SleepyTinker · 09/12/2024 22:04

My children have been with their grandad about 4 times before his terminal illness. They still speak on the phone ,until now. They are aware of his serious illness but not that he's about to leave us. Thank you for your kind words, really appreciate it.

Show quote history

I am sorry, I got the impression that they didn't know him.
I hope your trip goes as well as can be expected

MouldyCandy · 09/12/2024 22:16

Do you have a DH/DP that could stay at home with them? If that's possible it means you can spend time with your Dad without having to look after your DC too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page