Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
I agree absolutely. I don't want to lie myself, I don't want to teach my children to lie by example, and I don't want to ask them to lie if a friend or teachers asks them what they were doing on an absence day.
This day of yours is very straightforward as it is going to see secondary schools, and all children at this stage are moving on to secondary stage. There is no point in not being straightforward - there is nothing to be guilty about.
I had a day in year 2 I felt awkward about as it was a trial day at another school when I was at a key point in deciding whether or not to move my DD. Things were already strained with the current school and I didn't want to highlight the fact that we were considering moving schools to other parents or staff.
Maybe in this instance I was less than honest as I simply sent in a note saying that she had an appointment that day. I told my daughter if anyone asked her what she had done that day that there was no problem describing her day if she wished to. We booked it for a Friday. No-one asked me anything about it, and no-one asked my daughter on the Monday either. Goodness knows how they coded it. It was useful as DD was mad keen to move on the Friday, but by the Monday return to school she was completely happy to go back to the current school.
However, as someone else has said, Code B should more than adequately cover a trip to another school or study centre and the school should not find it necessary to include it in either their authorised or unauthorised absence stats. You will be doing the school a favour by giving full details as they should then be able to Code B it.
I may soon have a dilemma as for sound educational reasons I may wish to flexi-school one of mine a little bit again next year. It is harder now for schools to Code B flexi-schooling. I will ask, I might get a no. However, if things pan out the way I think they may be going to, I will still have to go ahead and do it even if I get a no. I will say what I am doing, my DD can talk about it if she wishes. I will potentially face fines and prosecution, and annoyance from the school for affecting their statistics. However, at the end of the day I see it as not much different from getting your child squeezed in on appeal to a school that feels that extra children will impact negatively on them. I will have an impact on their stats if they say no, but the detriment to my child if I don't go ahead and do it will be greater. Also, the school also always has the option to sort out the issues which lead to my need and wish to flexi-educate for a period of time. My child's educational outcomes will improve through the flexi-schooling, not decline, so the school really has nothing to lose apart from whatever this problem is with their stats.
I have taught and seen real hard core truancy that impacts severely on a child's education. This clamping down on the odd sensible day now and then which arguably contributes to a child's outcomes is not tackling the root of the problem. It's improving the stats round the edges for children from the families that care about education.
I would like to understand in what way it does impact on the school's ofsted inspection results too. We just get told " we can't get outstanding if attendance is not 95% or higher". Is this true? If so, it's a little pathetic as for the hardcore truants to whom this really matters, it's really out of the school's control. Schools need specialist help, support and the law to get persistent truants in to school or back into some other form of education.
Instead, children at our school who have been genuinely ill get comments about their absence written at the bottom of their report card just so that the EWO can see that the school is "doing something".
This day of yours is very straightforward as it is going to see secondary schools, and all children at this stage are moving on to secondary stage. There is no point in not being straightforward - there is nothing to be guilty about.
I had a day in year 2 I felt awkward about as it was a trial day at another school when I was at a key point in deciding whether or not to move my DD. Things were already strained with the current school and I didn't want to highlight the fact that we were considering moving schools to other parents or staff.
Maybe in this instance I was less than honest as I simply sent in a note saying that she had an appointment that day. I told my daughter if anyone asked her what she had done that day that there was no problem describing her day if she wished to. We booked it for a Friday. No-one asked me anything about it, and no-one asked my daughter on the Monday either. Goodness knows how they coded it. It was useful as DD was mad keen to move on the Friday, but by the Monday return to school she was completely happy to go back to the current school.
However, as someone else has said, Code B should more than adequately cover a trip to another school or study centre and the school should not find it necessary to include it in either their authorised or unauthorised absence stats. You will be doing the school a favour by giving full details as they should then be able to Code B it.
I may soon have a dilemma as for sound educational reasons I may wish to flexi-school one of mine a little bit again next year. It is harder now for schools to Code B flexi-schooling. I will ask, I might get a no. However, if things pan out the way I think they may be going to, I will still have to go ahead and do it even if I get a no. I will say what I am doing, my DD can talk about it if she wishes. I will potentially face fines and prosecution, and annoyance from the school for affecting their statistics. However, at the end of the day I see it as not much different from getting your child squeezed in on appeal to a school that feels that extra children will impact negatively on them. I will have an impact on their stats if they say no, but the detriment to my child if I don't go ahead and do it will be greater. Also, the school also always has the option to sort out the issues which lead to my need and wish to flexi-educate for a period of time. My child's educational outcomes will improve through the flexi-schooling, not decline, so the school really has nothing to lose apart from whatever this problem is with their stats.
I have taught and seen real hard core truancy that impacts severely on a child's education. This clamping down on the odd sensible day now and then which arguably contributes to a child's outcomes is not tackling the root of the problem. It's improving the stats round the edges for children from the families that care about education.
I would like to understand in what way it does impact on the school's ofsted inspection results too. We just get told " we can't get outstanding if attendance is not 95% or higher". Is this true? If so, it's a little pathetic as for the hardcore truants to whom this really matters, it's really out of the school's control. Schools need specialist help, support and the law to get persistent truants in to school or back into some other form of education.
Instead, children at our school who have been genuinely ill get comments about their absence written at the bottom of their report card just so that the EWO can see that the school is "doing something".
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
I think you should be honest and say it is a visit to another school, and therefore are notifing code B absence (I would use notifying rather than requesting in your letter to primary, you aren't asking for permission as you will do it anyway).
Schools get a lot of this in Year 6, many secondaries / indys organise open morning visits etc (you can never see it operating if you only do open evenings) and selectives sometimes have daytime exams. Although this form of taking time off is never advertised the primary would expect a few days and half days to be taken. Generally they dont advertise that it is ok because it makes their absence policy look stronger and stops spurrios requests, they are much more worried about skivers (minor illness that shouldn't have stopped attendance) and annoyed by parents who take holidays in term time.
I have never heard of a school that has followed up with a parent about DC taking time off to visit next potential school. If they choose to go after anyone because stats look bad, it would be those taking unauthorised holidays and not those on a school visit.
Schools get a lot of this in Year 6, many secondaries / indys organise open morning visits etc (you can never see it operating if you only do open evenings) and selectives sometimes have daytime exams. Although this form of taking time off is never advertised the primary would expect a few days and half days to be taken. Generally they dont advertise that it is ok because it makes their absence policy look stronger and stops spurrios requests, they are much more worried about skivers (minor illness that shouldn't have stopped attendance) and annoyed by parents who take holidays in term time.
I have never heard of a school that has followed up with a parent about DC taking time off to visit next potential school. If they choose to go after anyone because stats look bad, it would be those taking unauthorised holidays and not those on a school visit.
-
Reading Mum
- Posts: 1841
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:44 am
- Location: Reading
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
I didn't ask permission - I just sent a letter informing them that DD would not be in school that morning due to an exam at the local GS. It's not like she wouldn't have attended the exam if they had objected.
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
A huge "Like" for this post.mystery wrote:I agree absolutely. I don't want to lie myself, I don't want to teach my children to lie by example, and I don't want to ask them to lie if a friend or teachers asks them what they were doing on an absence day.
This day of yours is very straightforward as it is going to see secondary schools, and all children at this stage are moving on to secondary stage. There is no point in not being straightforward - there is nothing to be guilty about.
I had a day in year 2 I felt awkward about as it was a trial day at another school when I was at a key point in deciding whether or not to move my DD. Things were already strained with the current school and I didn't want to highlight the fact that we were considering moving schools to other parents or staff.
Maybe in this instance I was less than honest as I simply sent in a note saying that she had an appointment that day. I told my daughter if anyone asked her what she had done that day that there was no problem describing her day if she wished to. We booked it for a Friday. No-one asked me anything about it, and no-one asked my daughter on the Monday either. Goodness knows how they coded it. It was useful as DD was mad keen to move on the Friday, but by the Monday return to school she was completely happy to go back to the current school.
However, as someone else has said, Code B should more than adequately cover a trip to another school or study centre and the school should not find it necessary to include it in either their authorised or unauthorised absence stats. You will be doing the school a favour by giving full details as they should then be able to Code B it.
I may soon have a dilemma as for sound educational reasons I may wish to flexi-school one of mine a little bit again next year. It is harder now for schools to Code B flexi-schooling. I will ask, I might get a no. However, if things pan out the way I think they may be going to, I will still have to go ahead and do it even if I get a no. I will say what I am doing, my DD can talk about it if she wishes. I will potentially face fines and prosecution, and annoyance from the school for affecting their statistics. However, at the end of the day I see it as not much different from getting your child squeezed in on appeal to a school that feels that extra children will impact negatively on them. I will have an impact on their stats if they say no, but the detriment to my child if I don't go ahead and do it will be greater. Also, the school also always has the option to sort out the issues which lead to my need and wish to flexi-educate for a period of time. My child's educational outcomes will improve through the flexi-schooling, not decline, so the school really has nothing to lose apart from whatever this problem is with their stats.
I have taught and seen real hard core truancy that impacts severely on a child's education. This clamping down on the odd sensible day now and then which arguably contributes to a child's outcomes is not tackling the root of the problem. It's improving the stats round the edges for children from the families that care about education.
I would like to understand in what way it does impact on the school's ofsted inspection results too. We just get told " we can't get outstanding if attendance is not 95% or higher". Is this true? If so, it's a little pathetic as for the hardcore truants to whom this really matters, it's really out of the school's control. Schools need specialist help, support and the law to get persistent truants in to school or back into some other form of education.
Instead, children at our school who have been genuinely ill get comments about their absence written at the bottom of their report card just so that the EWO can see that the school is "doing something".
We've fallen foul of the illness figures quite a few times and now treat them with the contempt they deserve. Sick days are a lottery - so one child strikes it lucky, has good fortune and never gets D&V and as a result, gets a prize at the end of term in assembly, with a huge "Well done, isn't little Simon a good boy? You should all try to be like him", when he hasn't actually achieved anything at all, except somehow avoid catching something that the rest of his classmates fell prey to. It's a mickey-take. My DD felt bad because she couldn't attain the magic 100% the school chases, all because I obeyed the school rules and kept her off with D&V for 48 hours. What message is this sending to the children? I politely told the HT in no uncertain terms that I placed no importance on his figures whatsoever, or the letter we received....and that when DD2's work started to show a tailing off due to the odd sick-day here and there, and he could provide irrefutable proof, then we could discuss it.
Go for it Mystery - I nearly did the same. Put your child first - as a teacher, you're better placed than most of us, in so far as you know how to avoid and bat-away the finger-wagging and scare-tactics
OP - I would tell them straight - best that way all round - you're not doing anything wrong.
Right, I'm dismounting my hobby-horse now
-
Kingfisher
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:08 pm
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
I think visiting the school is very important. You need to see it in operation. You've said you are going anyway so your mind is made up.
My DD attended a 'taster' session at the selective independent where she is now; she found it fun but did not get much else out of it. I, on the other hand, found it very useful to be shown round by Year 7 girls and the question session with girls already at the school was useful too.
My DD attended a 'taster' session at the selective independent where she is now; she found it fun but did not get much else out of it. I, on the other hand, found it very useful to be shown round by Year 7 girls and the question session with girls already at the school was useful too.
-
silverysea
- Posts: 1105
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
Thanks all I feel better now! I considered taking her off for the whole day "sick" but it really sticks in my craw to lie and set such an example. She will feel self-conscious being taken out mid-day but that in itself is something I'm keen not to pander to anyway.
You're right this is simply a secondary visit, and that's how I'll play it, it just raises eyebrows when everyone else is off to the ofsted-adored comp in walking distance. We already feel out of place as it is-too lefty and academic.
The head is retiring shortly anyway so probably no one will care after all that!
You're right this is simply a secondary visit, and that's how I'll play it, it just raises eyebrows when everyone else is off to the ofsted-adored comp in walking distance. We already feel out of place as it is-too lefty and academic.
The head is retiring shortly anyway so probably no one will care after all that!
-
silverysea
- Posts: 1105
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
Mystery what's this about flexi schooling? Do tell. I briefly did home ed with my two then in year 4 and 1.
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
Flexi-schooling is where the child is at school most of the time but you enter in to an agreement with the school, with their permission, to educate for a part of the time at home. They still receive the full funding for the child as long as they are in school for the amount of time the delegation of funds shceme dictates (in our authority minimum of 80% of the week).
Schools could code B it before - education offsite - so it did not increase their authorised absence stats - it counted as attendance. Now they are not allowed to code B it, so shcools are not likely to give permission as it affects their absence stats.
Schools could code B it before - education offsite - so it did not increase their authorised absence stats - it counted as attendance. Now they are not allowed to code B it, so shcools are not likely to give permission as it affects their absence stats.
-
silverysea
- Posts: 1105
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
Is it to help your DC with health issues? Or to make sure they are actually progressing academically as you can teach and assess them individually and school isn't? and/or to get away from social issues? In secondary or primary? I have some similar issues at times with my year 8.
This morning she said she was going to teach herself a subject at home having had rubbish supply teachers with no qualifications in it all year and been demoted a set so now she's with the disruptive idiots as well. I think why, attend the class then, if it's just a waste of time? She certainly could teach herself better. (Don't worry chaps it's not an 11+ school).
This morning she said she was going to teach herself a subject at home having had rubbish supply teachers with no qualifications in it all year and been demoted a set so now she's with the disruptive idiots as well. I think why, attend the class then, if it's just a waste of time? She certainly could teach herself better. (Don't worry chaps it's not an 11+ school).
-
silverysea
- Posts: 1105
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm
Re: Asking for time off school to do mock/look at Indy
And Bravado I agree it's bizarre to reward kids for being extra healthy! DD2 has a row of certificates attesting to her health (and if she doesn't get one she worries unduly - but she was SICK! hello?) DD1 suffers from occasional blinding migraines, complete with vomiting. They are often brought in by stress at school including bullying. She has been labelled a skiver. This strangely has not increased her regard for her school.
