Missing school for a holiday

Let him go on the holiday, but say that’s what you’re doing. Grammaretto that’s so true. Don’t get your child to lie. They always give themselves away by talking about what they did and where they went.
It’s true that schools are bound by lots of rules and regulations regarding unofficial absences. It’s also true in all my experience except one, that the parents say the children are so bright it won’t hurt them to miss a few days.

I wouldn't expect him to lie, which is why I have already requested the days.
I also don't lie myself, so if I say he is bright, he is bright - even though that doesn't affect what decision I end up making.
It will be made on what I consider to be in his best interests, and even if he was as thick as two short planks, I would still do the same.

We can never really know how missing school will affect a child but I can’t think that missing 3 days, in these circumstances, would adversely affect him.
I can never remember how much education I missed but I went to 3 secondary schools ( one twice) and missed the first term of my first GCE year. The school I went to in England had a different exam board so I completely missed some subjects.
I’ve managed to get through life quite successfully.
All my friends and fellow students were in much the same situation. We just got on with it.

I am afraid the trouble is, if you ask they are duty bound to say no. You have to take responsibility for your child's life and education.

Remember you are the parents, DGP or whatever. It is your child not theirs.

I took my DD out of school for a term in P6 and sent her to France to attend a village school where her DGP were living. The school in France were fine about it but the school in Scotland were not.
They harped on at me about missing vital education when in reality she was staying with her DGP who helped so much with her maths that she was way ahead when she returned.
She had a brilliant experience, came home speaking fluent French with a perfect accent but also it gave her such confidence that I can only admire. I have to admit I missed her dreadfully.

Well, I've cooked my goose, really, because I've already asked and been told no.

speak to them? I rang my sons school and said we needed to go to a funeral and because our family lived miles and lies away we would be staying overnight for a few days. The headteacher said she couldn't authorise it but to put it in writing and then it would unauthorised absence. We were never fined or contacted tbh

So just put the circumstances and background in writing and stress you are left caring for your grandson and let them follow up with all the people who cannot get their children to school and have genuine disdain of rules and boundaries.

MissAdventure

Well, I've cooked my goose, really, because I've already asked and been told no.

So what will they do?
March you off to Bronzefield?

We'll protest - we will fight them in the playground, we will fight them at the school gates .....

I agree with JaneJudge

Me too, much more sensible advice than mine ?

Normally I would not be encouraging missing school, but
a) these times are not yet normal
b) your circumstances are not normal.
You seem to have a very good case for making an exception. The school may not be free to agree, but put it in writing and they will understand.

MissAdventure, if you end up in Clink Gransnet will rise up and fight your cause! ?. Hope he has a great time, and you have a bit of peace!

eazybee

You are teaching your grandson that despite being refused leave of absence it is all right to ignore rules and regulations.
This is exactly the same as the recent thread about cheating; if I want to do it it is all right, because it does not matter.

It’s 3 days !!! Plus have you read what OP says about the circumstances ?
Have some compassion fgs

There was a blank page on the request form in order for me to put my case.
I did, and have been told it isn't exceptional circumstances, and therefore they cannot grant leave.

Three days to spend with his brother who he does not get to see much. I would say he should go. When my children were young it was quite acceptable to take your children out of school for a holiday. I didn't know anybody that didn't. the teachers would love to hear about what they had done. the geography teacher at the second school actually commented to me that he reckoned my children could take the geography lesson as they were so well travelled. Then it changed. No holidays in school time. I was fortunate to be involved in this new school policy and therefore got to know the understanding for it. The reason? Far too many children were missing up to eight weeks at at a time to go home to their home country.

Keyboard playing up. More expense!

* MissAdventure*
How much is the fine if you go ahead?

I think it's £60, but where I got that figure from I have no idea.
I think it may have to be persistent absences though, to warrant a fine.
He is persistently late, but attendance is 100 percent for the last 2 years.

We can have a GN whip round to pay the fine. RL not virtual of course.

Ahh, that's a lovely thought, thank you, but I could pay the fine.
It's just the "naughtiness" of doing something wrong I struggle with.
I blame my mum.

Just do it and we will all back you up x
I hope he has a nice time with his brother

Unless he has a history of unauthorised absence, I'd be very surprised if 3 days would trigger a fine.

MissAdventure
Sometimes in life we have to make our own rules.
Sometimes other people’s rules don’t suit.

It is not teachers who have the problem. It is the Government who will count it as an unauthorised absence, which OFSTED will then use against the school when they visit!

More is learnt on a 3 day holiday from normality than in 3 days of school lessons.