detentions for children - parental permission

[claireyfairy]

If a parent does not give permission for their child to be kept behind at school for a detention and by that I mean actually says "no" for a very valid reason can the school still keep the child behind?

[suffragette]

If you have a legitimate reason for the non attendance of your child at a detention, like a pre-arranged dental appointment or something similar, the school should re-consider changing the date of the detention.

Unfortunately, the Dept of Ed's rules are none too precise. You are entitled to 24 hours notice and can object to the detention if it falls on an important religious day for your family.

You can also make changes if you're concerned about the length and safety of the route between school and home if your child were to serve a detention.

Thirdly, if you cannot be reasonably expected to make alternative arrangements for collecting your child from school, you can change the date of the detention.

Hasn't the school provided you with a booklet that has details regarding such matters, because they certainly should have done so?

[Suzyboo]

They are more likely to be flexible if given an explanation and a request for rearrangement than if a parent attempts to refuse for no apparent reason

[jenstar]

I'd be shocked if detention actually had any legal basis whatsoever. I mean, it basically amounts to imprisonment, doesn't it? I can't see how the school could legally insist on carrying it out against your wishes, especially now that the Human Rights Act is in existence.

[claireyfairy]

it's not actually me it's a lady I work with. Her son's whole class has been given detention as the teacher could not get them to shut up. My co-worker has called the school and explained that her son relies on the school bus to get him home (he goes to a catholic school which is a good 50 minute drive away from his home). Neither my co-worker nor her husband are able to finish work early to collect him after the detention so if they had to collect him then he would be waiting outside his school for at least an hour (his detention finishes at 4pm) while they finished work and then made the 40 minute journey to the school.