SCHOOL RULES
‘The school system’s a joke’ parents rage as mum sends in daughter with a headache to avoid fine & STILL gets in trouble
Other people in the comments insisted the school system and the absence rules were "ridiculous"
A MUM has been left with horrific "mum guilt" after sending her daughter into school with a headache to avoid an attendance fine.
Tink's daughter Ruby regularly finds herself getting into trouble, with the issues becoming more prevalent after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to crack down on term-time absences.
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So when Ruby told her mum she had a headache, Tink decided to send her in anyway.
"I was like, look, you know, we're trying to fight this whole thing with the school changing their rules and everything," she explained in a TikTok .
"We can't be seen to be taking the mick and have an extra days off.
"Like, we're going on a holiday in two weeks. You're gonna be missing school. Like, we can't.
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"Usually if she comes when she got headache and stuff, I'll be like, have the day off.
"But today I was like, look, we're getting a lot of attention online.
"We're trying to change the rules. We're trying to see that the schools are being stupid about everything.
"And so I said, let's just go to school."
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Tink then received a phone call at 11am from the school, telling her that Ruby had been sick.
"I'm so annoyed at myself and I have mum guilt coming out of my ears," Tink said.
Teachers say they spend too much time dealing with their students' emotional needs instead of educating them
"This is absolutely ridiculous.
"And obviously she's been sick, so she isn't going to school tomorrow.
"And I'll tell you now, if she's still feeling rough on what, on Thursday, she ain't going in either."
People were quick to comment on the video, with one writing: "Please don’t ever feel guilty for letting your kids have days off or go to school when they don’t feel great these school rules are becoming too crazy they should focus on kids mental health etc."
What school fines can parents receive?
THE main issue that can lead to parents receiving a fine is missing school.
Currently, it's the decision of the local council whether or not to issue a parent a fine for their child missing school.
However, from August this year, the fine for absences will up to the school to consider - when a child has missed 10 or more sessions for unauthorised reasons.
And the fine will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days - this is issued to EACH parent.
It's the first time the fine has been increased since 2012, and is in line with inflation.
If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within three years, this will automatically be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines will be capped at two fines within a three-year period.
After this limit has been reached, prosecution or a parenting order may be considered.
According to the official there are only five reasons your child should be absent from school if the school is open.
These are as follows:
- Your child is too ill to attend that day
- You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances
- Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance
- Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet
- You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school
"The school system is an absolute joke," another added.
"Bless her heart, I know how you feel but at least the school see her sick so can’t complain at least she tried to go in," a third commented.
"Do not feel guilty, you did what you felt was right at the time, and she’s home now and she can get better," someone else commented.
While another wrote: "Don't feel guilty, school can't say anything now they've witnessed her being ill.
"If you took her out and didn't let her go you would've been in trouble, it's hard with these rules being as stupid as they are.
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"It's more of a prison than anything else, in fact it's actually worse than a prison, but they can't blame you for it as they were the ones who sent her home.
"I hope she feels better soon."
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