Authorised Absence

[Jux]

DD's godmother has just died so dd has brought home a form asking for leave to take the afternoon off to attend the funeral.

She bumped into her HoY in the corridor and asked if it would be OK, and he said it only applied if it were a blood relative, and that a godparent doesn't count as family. The form actually says that absence will be authorised under various circumstances with a list which includes Bereavement. No mention of blood relative.

Is her HoY right?

In my experience, the policy on funerals is likely to vary from school to school.

So blood relative might be right, or not. I would phone the school and ask yourself.

Hello OP

This must be an awful time for you and your dd, of course she should go if this is what she wants.
I would fight this if they don't give permission.
If the worst comes to worst would you pay a fine?

The school have authorised for bereavements many times before, I know. DD thinks it is that her HoY doesn't like her religion and thinks her godmother is of the same religion. She does have some cause to consider this as he did forbid her to speak about her religion to other pupils some years ago.

Her godmother was a Christian and regular church attender, so he couldn't be more wrong if that is what is happening.

It can't be though. That would be ridiculous.

Yes, we would pay the fine. There is no way in the world she will miss it.

(bereavements of not even relatives, next door neighbour in one case, have been authorised)

Her HoY forbade her from speaking about her religion . What was your daughter saying about her religion? Unless it was seriously inflammatory or contained discriminatory attitudes (homophobia as an example) I am amazed that the HoY would do that. What did you do about that?

Couldn't do much about it, as the damage was done. All her other teachers were great, like her and she likes them (well, she hates her maths teacher! but for for completely normal reasons). DH didn't want me to rock the boat. DD was only just beginning to find her feet at school. We were just coming out of a looooong period of mourning after multiple bereavements, I was ill again, yada yada yada. So we didn't do anything. Yes, I am ashamed of it and would do things differently now.

DD wasn't really doing or saying anything untoward, her religion is considerably less inflammatory than Christianity, tbh, far more peaceful and gentle.

Agree with Tiggytape. An immediate family restriction would make sense and I suspect that many schools would not authorise absence for the funeral of a godparent unless they were particularly close to the child. But a blood relatives only rule would be ridiculous. Submit the form and see what happens.

Well, it was all hot air or something. Permission was given, we got the form back yesterday. Nice funeral, lots of people from all over the country, moving. DD is OK ish. Even I shed a tear or two.

Glad it's gone okay. :) for your DD's GM.