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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Early finish

52 replies

99withaflake · 15/07/2018 12:11

My child's school will finish at 12.30 on the last day of term.

They gave us notice of this about a month ago. Some bus companies are able to collect the children early but some can't. The children that can't go home will be supervised in the hall until the end of the day. I am going to collect my child in my lunch hour as she doesn't want to stay in the hall as all her friends are going home.

This is the second time they have done this (they did it at Christmas).

Are they allowed to do this?

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 15/07/2018 12:20

Ours always finish at 1pm at the end of the school year.

TeenTimesTwo · 15/07/2018 12:22

Ours always finishes at the start of lunch at Christmas, End Summer and also the day of the Open evening.
Loads of notice, and it is only 3 lessons 'lost' as they only have 1 lesson after lunch anyway.
They have put supervision in place for those who need it.
Non issue.

noblegiraffe · 15/07/2018 14:21

They’re secondary kids. Ours would go around a closer-living mate’s house or get a bus into town and hang out there or something. We always finish early on the last day of term, no one has ever needed supervising in the hall.

DamsonGin · 15/07/2018 14:27

Ours do too, I've taken the afternoon off (summer born sen, not quite as independent as others yet). Both he and I would be happy for him to be there the whole school day.

DamsonGin · 15/07/2018 14:27

Should say yr7, might be okay next year but we'll see.

Wolfiefan · 15/07/2018 14:29

What's your problem with it? That they are missing lessons or not providing you with childcare?
Every school o have ever worked at finishes early at Christmas and summer.

MaisyPops · 15/07/2018 14:32

It's the norm to finish early on the last day at every school I've worked in.

Some finish after afternoon registration, others finish at 2ish (whenever the start of last lesson is).

After that, staff are usually in the staffroom doing things for staff who are leaving, notices for the first day and then we are free to leave.

RedSkyLastNight · 15/07/2018 15:31

DC's school does this.No one stays at school. They hang out in the park or go to a friend's house. Not a big deal.

Original poster

99withaflake · 15/07/2018 15:51

My problem with it is that because of traffic I will just about make it back to work on time. It would actually be more convenient if she didn't go in at all but then school would phone up moaning about attendance.

They seem to want it both ways.

OP posts:

ReadingRiot · 15/07/2018 15:54

It's very common practice here, every Christmas and Summer. I often wonder how they "get away" with not providing the full 195day although I can't imagine it makes much differ ence to the amount of actual work done on the last day.

errorofjudgement · 15/07/2018 15:54

I think it’s unusual not to have the school buses rearranged for an early finish, or do you mean it’s the public buses that are not rearranged?

TheThirdOfHerName · 15/07/2018 15:57

My children's schools finish early on the last day of every term, but they are in a town with good public transport links.

My sons usually come straight home or go to a friend's house. My daughter usually uses the half-day to go shopping with friends and then gets a later bus home.

I can see that it would be trickier if there's no public bus service.

anotherangel2 · 15/07/2018 15:57

Legally they need an AM and PM registration.

Secondary schools often close earlier to prevent behaviour problems.

Groovee · 15/07/2018 16:00

Ours finish at 12 at Christmas and summer.

TheThirdOfHerName · 15/07/2018 16:00

Secondary schools often close earlier to prevent behaviour problems.

And also so that the staff (including site staff) can tidy up and still finish at a reasonable time.

Original poster

99withaflake · 15/07/2018 16:19

She is year 7. Her primary school never finished early so I guess I'm not used to it.

Only certain bus routes are picking up early.

I guess if other schools are doing it then it's obviously allowed. I have always made her go to school on the last day but I will bear it in mind when I book our next holiday, I may get it cheaper and she would only miss a morning.

OP posts:

Almondio · 15/07/2018 16:22

Most schools do this. Our DCs either walk into town with friends or walk home. I appreciate this isn't always possible/convenient but then kids who have no other option could stay in school until normal pick-up.

RedSkyLastNight · 15/07/2018 16:24

Just ask her to organise something with one of her friends. no reason for you to be rushing in and out from work.

AgentHannahWells · 15/07/2018 16:25

Apparently ours do this so the staff can have an end of term party DS has allegedly seen the hall all set up so it must be true. Fair dos I say

His bus doesn't run earlier so he goes into town /park or to a nearby friend's.

bakedlikeabun · 15/07/2018 16:26

This happened when i was at school too, in 2018 BC.

dementedpixie · 15/07/2018 16:27

Our primary and secondary schools do it. Don't think dd (secondary) went in this year on the last day as there were so few pupils in the few days before. Ds was in for his last day as it was his last day of primary school ever

fleshmarketclose · 15/07/2018 16:27

dd's school finish at 1pm but they have an agreement with the school buses to come early that day as well.

DeadCert · 15/07/2018 16:31

Its fairly common practice, you're fortunate as they're saying they will keep the students that can't be collected. They mark them in after lunch and then release them. School isn't childcare, and they have given you ample notice. Also, with the pressure teachers are under, I'd fully support my kids teachers getting totally wankered at lunchtime on the last day of term, and I'm not a teacher.

SuperSuperSuper · 15/07/2018 16:34

Secondary school age children don't need to be babysat obviously (SEN jonwithstanding) but I think that if the school is going to close early (fair enough) they should ensure that the school buses pick up early too. Kids in rural catchments may not have other means of transport and not all will have people to hang out with near school.

PurpleFlower1983 · 15/07/2018 16:34

Our school used to do this up until about 3 years ago and lots of parents complained it was difficult to pick their kids up etc. Once it stopped they started complaining that other schools were finishing early and their children had to stay. Schools can’t win!

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