Dad rages after school refuses to let son have a day off to attend D-Day event
Nine-year-old Jack Sheath's grandad fought at D-Day - but he says he will be the "only kid at the event who isn't allowed to go".
A furious father has said he is “shocked and angry” after his nine-year-old son’s school said it was unable to authorise the youngster’s trip D-Day memorial event in Portsmouth today.
Broadlea Primary School in Sandown told Phil Sheath they understood son Jack would be attending the event, but said it had no choice but to mark him down as an “unauthorised absence” in accordance with government guidance.
Jack’s parents had asked if he could be excused in order to go to the commemoration with his dad. Jack's late grandfather, Phil's father, Leonard Sheath, served in the Royal Navy during the Normandy Landings.
However, they were told the absence did not meet the criteria for 'exceptional circumstances' set out by government.
Mr Sheath, 65, told the Isle of Wight County Press: "We were shocked and angry and it just boiled my blood.
"We demanded a meeting with the headteacher who explained that if it was a funeral, wedding or a graduation of a sibling then it would be exceptional."
In an email, Broadlea headteacher Lynn Torrance said she sympathised and acknowledged the decision as “disappointing”, while accepting Jack would nevertheless be going.
She added: “I hope that you both really enjoy the commemorative event and we will look forward to hearing all about it from Jack."
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend the event, with roughly 900 school pupils also been invited.
Jack himself said he would be "the one kid going who isn't allowed to".
He continued: "It's probably going to be the last event where some of these veterans will be going.
"It's not the school's fault but the fact it's not in the guidelines makes me angry."
An Isle of Wight Council spokesman said: "While the decision to authorise an absence is made by individual headteachers, Department for Education guidance is that absence from school, other than for illness, should only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.”
