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School Tells Dying Mum She Can't Take Her Son On Holiday

School Tells Dying Mum She Can't Take Her Son On Holiday

If these aren't "exceptional circumstances" then what is?

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A 36-year-old mum who is dying of cancer was told that she can't take her son out of school to go on a final holiday with her. The school chiefs said that it was not an "exceptional circumstance" and therefore Angela Rose couldn't take her son, 8-year-old Carlo, out of school during term time.

Angela has been given just months to live as a result of her illness.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 months ago, but the disease had spread to her bones and brain within a very short time. She was told by doctors that the illness is terminal and that she can only expect to live for around one or two years more.

INS News Agency

However, despite wanting to take her young son on one last holiday with her, she was denied that request by Stanton Middle School in Buckinghamshire.

The school has now relented and performed a swift U-turn after Milton Keynes council intervened on Angela's behalf. Carlo has a 98% attendance record at the school.

Angela said: "If a dying 36-year-old mum wanting to take her boy on holiday for one last time isn't an exceptional case then I dread to think what is."

She is understandably quite upset and angry with the school, even after they reversed their decision and said that Carlo could have leave to go on holiday. Before the decision was overturned, she had been threatened with a fine.

INS News Agency

The school said: "Although we knew she had health issues we did not realise the full extent of them. We should have checked further - we didn't, and we're very sorry. In the light of this we will of course grant this leave of absence, outside of normal school holiday time."

Angela has found it difficult to believe that the school did not understand her situation because of the letter that she sent to them explaining the circumstances. She continued: "I had to fill in a form to give the reasons I wanted to take my son out of school during term time.

"I clearly stated that I had terminal cancer, and this could be our last holiday together.

"I just don't see how they could have made a mistake."

INS News Agency

Parents who take their kids out of school without clearing it first can be liable to be fined £60, or £120 if paid after 28 days. However, special circumstances can mean that the absence is authorised. This seems like it should have been one of those situations.

Angela couldn't afford to go away in August, so had to arrange for it to be in September instead, when school was back.

She said: "In August it cost £1,000, which I haven't got. So, I booked the week from September 14, when it was £400 - all I could afford.

"Carlo has 98 per cent attendance, but this would have gone down as unauthorised absence. I was terrified I would be fined by the school."

Featured Image Credit: INS News Agency