Mum vows to take son, 9, out of school for her wedding: ‘I don’t care if I go to jail’

Mum reveals she is prepared to go to jail after school refuse her son, 9, permission to attend her wedding ceremony

AHYJAK

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Clare Whitelegg has revealed her outrage after her nine-year-old son's primary school have refused her request for him to take time off school to attend her wedding.

Miss Whitelegg, 30, who is due to marry her policeman fiancé today, pulled her son out of lessons anyway, insisting she is willing to face jail over the school's "absolutely bonkers" rules.

Speaking with The Mail Online, she said: "It’s absolutely bonkers that the school have banned my son from attending my wedding."

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"If I had gone along with the school’s ruling then there would be no wedding because I can’t leave a nine-year-old home alone for three days.

"I am fully prepared to go to court and I will refuse to pay any fine. If it means going to prison then so be it."

Sanctions that can be imposed on the parents of truanting children include a three-month jail sentence of a fine of £2,500.

Should this mother have married without her son present? [stock image]
Should this mother have married without her son present? [stock image]

The furious mum added: "Andy and I both work full-time and this is the only time we could get off work.

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"Riley is an excellent pupil. The school isn’t even holding normal lessons this week anyway because it’s sports week."

Mary Lucas, head teacher at Clive Church of England School, said: "The school will only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances.

"On June 16, 2014 we received an application for a pupil leave of absence from June 23 to 25. I would have been happy to talk to the parents about this request if they had come to see me."

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Do you agree with this mother - should she refuse to pay fines and take her child out of school? Or should she abide by the school's wishes?

Let us know your thoughts via the Comments Box below now.

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