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Mum worried she’ll be fined for skipping ‘compulsory’ sports day on a Saturday for her six-year-old son… so would YOU go?

Her son is in Year One at a state primary school

A MUM is worried she'll get fined for skipping her six-year-old son's sports day, even though it's on a Saturday, so would you go?

Her son, who's in Year One at a state primary school, has a pre-paid swimming lesson booked at 9.30am - half an hour after the "compulsory" sports day starts.

 A mum is worried she'll get fined if her son misses sports day - even though it's on a Saturday
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A mum is worried she'll get fined if her son misses sports day - even though it's on a SaturdayCredit: Getty - Contributor

, weekendsareforfamily moaned: "The receptionist has said its a compulsory day and we have all known about this since September last year.

"I am worried I will be fined if he doesn't attend but it's a Saturday?! Do I tell the truth and risk a fine? Do I lie and make up another reason?

"Do I lose out on the money I have already paid for his swimming lessons (we have already lost out on two from going away at last half term)? Arrrgh".

And she's split opinion - with many of the mums agreeing the idea was "ridiculous".

 She took to Mumsnet t0 debate the issue - and it has split opinion
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She took to Mumsnet t0 debate the issue - and it has split opinion

Among them was Kingkiller, who wrote: "Wtf? A state school holding a compulsory sports day on a Saturday?! That's ridiculous.

"I'm surprised the staff are willing to turn up, never mind the kids and parents!"

Anniegetyourgun labelled the event an "absolutely ghastly idea".

While lardymclardy commented: "I've never even heard of a sports day on a Saturday.

"I was happy enough (just) to rock up to the school fete last Saturday - but for sports day? Sod that!"

And FlyingElbows told the mum to: "Man up. It's a school not a court of law. Nothing about sports day in a Saturday is compulsory. Simply do not go, it is that easy."

Heatwave2018, meanwhile, argued: "The school shouldn’t make the children come in at the weekend they need a break.

"Besides swimming is more important than egg and spoon race. Good swimming and knowledge around the water saves lives."

And Sirzy added: "Does he want to go? There is no way you would get ds near school on a Saturday and I wouldn’t even waste my time trying!"

 Most were gobsmacked at the school's decision to put it on a Saturday - but others insisted it was an important one-off
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Most were gobsmacked at the school's decision to put it on a Saturday - but others insisted it was an important one-offCredit: Flickr RF - Getty

But others felt the mum was being unreasonable - especially as she had a year's notice, and insisted the event was an important one-off.

StillNoClue wrote: "I assume the sports day was arranged at a weekend so parents could attend.

"If you've known about it since last year, it's a bit unreasonable to start having a moan about it now.

"Ask your dc (dear child) what they prefer. Missing a swim lesson won't hurt him."

While ChocolateWombat slammed: "For goodness sake, it's once a year and there was a year of notice....is it really necessary to moan school as if they are the enemy?

"How about being supportive and recognising the effort put into these events, not for the benefit of the staff but the kids and that these things only really work if there is a brilliant turn out."

Rainuntilseptember15 argued: "The swimming lesson is irrelevant, as you’ve already shown by going on holiday. Isn’t a sports day more memorable than a lesson?"

And mrsm43s added: "I'm astounded that with a full years notice, a parent cannot prioritise one single Saturday for a school event, and considers it less of a priority than a swimming lesson!

"Such a lack of commitment and co-operation, and I'm not surprised that teachers are so demoralised."

We recently reported on another mum who was slammed for "showing off" about her £900k home, kids in private school and ponies – and then asking if she is middle class.

While this woman was horrified when she found texts branding her a ‘stupid b****’ and a ‘lazy cow’ on her mother-in-law’s phone - while they were on holiday together.

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