What were the school thinking of?

[northernladuk]

We had one like this the other month didn't we. School followed guidelines and said no and the parents went straight to the papers, ignoring the request from the school to come in and discuss it with them.

The school is in a tough situation IMO. The rule has to be followed for all else anarchy will ensue but the articles always allude to the fact there is a certain amount of discretion allowed in certain cases. From what I see in all these articles it hits the paper before the school has been further consulted and allowed to use it's discretion. If these articles mentioned the parents have used every possible avenue before going to the papers I would have a little more sympathy.

Just as a note I also read in to it that this is a wedding anniversary and not a last holiday for the lad. Reads to me that they are playing the disabled card a little unfairly here.

[eek]

The decision to issue a fine is a matter for the LEA, nothing to do with the school. Take issue with the LEA / council / government - as you say, the school has no choice in the matter.

Yes but in the first instance it is the school that makes the decision. And I'm still not aware of any local authority that has provided advice*

* actually that isn't true. I have seen advice from 2 authorities that had such gapping contradictions that it wasn't worth the paper it was written on..

[TheFaQQer]

It sounds to me like the school had no choice be to refuse authorised absence according to guidelines and issued the standard cut n paste warning letter. Whether the school or council would take any action is another matter. She needs to take her case up with the government, not the school. Having said that, the schools do seem to like to play hard ball on this subject and when challenged waste no time blaming the evil Mr Gove.

The decision to issue a fine is a matter for the LEA, nothing to do with the school. Take issue with the LEA / council / government - as you say, the school has no choice in the matter.

[VectraMan]

True but you missed the subsequent sentence from your quote. Where it said they could not go during the school holidays due to no wheelchair friendly cabin being available during said school holidays.

And that was the one and only holiday they possibly could have taken?

Seems to me everyone who breaks this rule has come up with some kind of justification. But really it comes down to parents putting money above their kids' education.

[Project Monkey]

It sounds to me like the school had no choice be to refuse authorised absence according to guidelines and issued the standard cut n paste warning letter. Whether the school or council would take any action is another matter. She needs to take her case up with the government, not the school. Having said that, the schools do seem to like to play hard ball on this subject and when challenged waste no time blaming the evil Mr Gove.

[eek]

Disagree, I'm with VM on this (without going into the argument of whether the rule is reasonable in the first place) The kid has several years of life expectancy - doesn't sound like the fact that he has a life limiting condition is relevant in this instance.

"Somerset, and her husband Peter tried to apply to take him out of class for a cruise in October to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary but were warned they will face a fine or prosecution."

Sounds like the reason for the holiday was their silver wedding, not because the kid is about to die.

True but you missed the subsequent sentence from your quote. Where it said they could not go during the school holidays due to no wheelchair friendly cabin being available during said school holidays.

[mudskipper]

Nice trolling. Not....

Disagree, I'm with VM on this (without going into the argument of whether the rule is reasonable in the first place) The kid has several years of life expectancy - doesn't sound like the fact that he has a life limiting condition is relevant in this instance.

"Somerset, and her husband Peter tried to apply to take him out of class for a cruise in October to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary but were warned they will face a fine or prosecution."

Sounds like the reason for the holiday was their silver wedding, not because the kid is about to die.

[BrilloPad]

Presumably he's required to attend school just like every other child, at least until he's too ill to do so. Why should the rules not apply?

Nice trolling. Not....

[VectraMan]

Presumably he's required to attend school just like every other child, at least until he's too ill to do so. Why should the rules not apply?

[BrilloPad]

Mother of terminally-ill boy fighting fine for taking son on 'last holiday' - Telegraph

Words fail me.....