schools and the law

sueeve

Secondary schools are often spread across wide campuses with more than one point of access (and therefore exit), amnd many doors to different buildings. 'A' level students in particular may be going to other places eg A level at another school, specialist library, work experience, including the fact that many drive to school and park within the complex. So no possibility of shutting gates.
Home school requires a huge amount of committment, and I don't think it would be possible without a stay at home parent.

budgetboo

My four year old escaped his first school on several occasions. It was "secure", but he was cunning and desperate! If a kid wants to get out they will, especially the time they are teens.

Asking for an appointment with the education welfare officer to discuss the issue, rather than waiting to be chased may help. The Mum needs evidence she is being proactive about the situation so the authorities don't jump to conclusions about her character. Write and ask for an educational pyscholigist appointment and keep a copy of the letter. Find out if the child is being bullied - a common reason for truancy, if she is again put the request to get it sorted in writing. Take her to the GP to get her eyes and ears tested. If the Mum doesn't work go into school mid-morning and mid-afternoon to check she's there - let the school see her checking up, or phone the school. Some kids slip away after registration. Tell the Mum to basically be a pest.

The daughter needs sanctions - these are hard , but no mobile, no birthday pressie, no out of school clothes as pocket money as Mum tells her she's saving up to pay her fine for the kids non-attendance may be a start. Serve up beans on toast for tea for a week.

Janepig

budgetboo wrote: »

My four year old escaped his first school on several occasions. It was "secure", but he was cunning and desperate! If a kid wants to get out they will, especially the time they are teens.

Asking for an appointment with the education welfare officer to discuss the issue, rather than waiting to be chased may help. The Mum needs evidence she is being proactive about the situation so the authorities don't jump to conclusions about her character. Write and ask for an educational pyscholigist appointment and keep a copy of the letter. Find out if the child is being bullied - a common reason for truancy, if she is again put the request to get it sorted in writing. Take her to the GP to get her eyes and ears tested. If the Mum doesn't work go into school mid-morning and mid-afternoon to check she's there - let the school see her checking up, or phone the school. Some kids slip away after registration. Tell the Mum to basically be a pest.

The daughter needs sanctions - these are hard , but no mobile, no birthday pressie, no out of school clothes as pocket money as Mum tells her she's saving up to pay her fine for the kids non-attendance may be a start. Serve up beans on toast for tea for a week.

All sound advice. The only people I've known to be prosecuted (including two people the week before last) are those who have worked against the EWO's rather than with the. One of the more recent cases, by her own admission, couldn't be bothered with the stress of getting her two teenagers to go to school, and would rather let them get away with truanting than to actually stand up to them. EWO's had bent over backwards for over a year to help and assist her and the family, although she said she'd had no help at all. What she actually said she wanted by way of assistance was for someone "in authority" to go to her home every morning, get the kids up and ready for school, and then a taxi to take them there and pick them up. I kid you not!! I'd LOVE someone to do that for me too!! :rotfl:

The other person who was prosecuted on the same day was as obstructive, if not more so, as they were violent towards anyone in "authority" also. Again, lots of assistance offered but none welcomed. I find it heartbreaking that parents such as this are happy to be living a rather sad and shallow existence, which they are happy to perpetuate through their children by giving them no encouragement to educate themselves out of their situation.

Jxx