To disagree with this school competition?

[LittleMissUpset]

School have told the children, and told parents, that children need to be in school every day in May, and that they will be entered into a competition to win a family day out.

I never send my kids in with a stomach bug, but if they have a cold, so long as they are well enough in themselves, they go in, I try and judge it, and always tell school to call me and I will pick up if I do send them in.

But kids can't help being ill, and I know attendance is a big thing for schools, but FFS! It's unfair on the kids.

One of my children has SN and is struggling in school, and I'm making referrals myself.

We have a medical appointment next week we have been waiting over 3 months for, so he won't be in the draw now. It seems so unfair.

Yes I could mention it to school, but there is no point. They would take it the wrong way, when I have politely questioned something previously about a school trip, and others did, we were put firmly in our place!

[FutureGadgetsLab]

What a fantastic way to encourage germs to spread.

I'm with you, utterly stupid.

[DrCoconut]

If a child has a condition that requires medical appointments these should not be included as absences unless the school want to be accused of discrimination. Refusing to make reasonable adjustments is not on. For routine minor illness that wouldn't be discrimination so much as bad luck but this is still a silly idea.

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

Will they definitely count the medical appointment as the sort of absence from school that would disqualify him from the competition?

I agree it's unfair to penalize a child for needing medical appointments.
DS1 has had a few hospital appointments in school term time this year, and his school have been absolutely fine about him being out of school for those.

[NotSpartacus]

Punishing ill health. Who comes up with this shit?

[BlueJug]

Agree it is a silly idea - but then so are all school competitions. My undersized, poorly co-ordinated kid was never going to be in the rugby, ( or any other team), neither was he ever going to win a handwriting prize.

Neither of mine ever had a hope in the arts competitions or anything that required major input from SAHMS parents. So YANBU but I hope that you complain just as much when your child wins.

[lalalalyra]

What a stupid idea.

I'd be mentioning it to the school in an 'obviously children who have appointments will still be included' way and then my reaction would depend on how discriminatory they replied.

It's unfair on the kids who pick up stomach bugs and the likes, but it's setting up kids with long-term conditions to fail.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Ynbu. It's bloody farcical behaviour. Not to mention s serious safeguarding issue. Expecting children in school putting other children at risk. Oh and discriminationatory against disabled and sick children.

[Onlyicanclean10]

What utter bollocks!

and I am at the stage in parenting life now I would email just that response to the head and governors.

It's so utterly stupid it deserves no better response op.

[HereIAm20]

I suspect its to ensure that everyone turns up for SATS

[Gileswithachainsaw]

It's bloody bonkers. good health is good luck nothing more.

[HelenaDove]

Fucking ridiculous irresponsible and discriminatory.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

That is so stupid. I'd stay off school a day and go on a nice educational family day out instead

[woody2976]

ridiculous. my daughter picks up everything then panics like mad cos she feels she is letting her class down :(

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

well enough in themselves
what on earth does this mean?

[LoudBatPerson]

It's a stupid competition. I really dislike prizes for 100% attendance.

It either punishes children who can't help becoming unwell or children whose parents don't get them into school, particularly at primary.

You will end up with some poor children either being in school when they are genuinely too ill to be, children getting upset because they are sick and loads of illnesses spreading around.

What about children will chronic conditions are disabilities who need more time off because of heir condition? Surely that is discrimination.

Also the parents who tend to let their children have a lot of unneeded time off are probably the ones who won't pay attention to this even though presumably are the target.

[EponasWildDaughter]

I'd email the Head a link to this thread OP.

[Acornantics]

So the child who threw up in the night due to a stomach bug, yet still came into school the next day, gets full marks but the one who they infected is penalised? Yeah, way to go school! Illogical, counterproductive and ruddy ridiculous.

[AugustaFinkNottle]

I suggest you take this up with the governors, throwing in references to disability discrimination and the Equality Act 2010.

[AugustaFinkNottle]

Oh, and mention safeguarding also - a policy that pressurises parents to send in ill and potentially infectious children is a dangerous one.

[IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst]

MrsGuy well enough in themselves means feeling ok and up to a day in school despite having a cough or a cold.

[HelenaDove]

"Punishing ill health. Who comes up with this shit?"



Errrrrrmmm???!!!

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

oh this kind of thing really winds me up - some children have weakened immune systems, a "little tummy bug" can be potentially very serious to them or even family members of some children, not to mention extremely unpleasant and very inconvenient.

Some children have hospital or therapy appointments that they can't help.

and frankly the ones with poor attendance won't take any notice anyway.

[QuiteLikely5]

Do you actually know for a fact that medical appointments are to be taken as an absence?

Because unless you have been specifically told then I can't see the point in getting annoyed about it in the first place

[GrumpyOldBag]

Do people really think the wisdom of Mumsnet is so profound that a Headteacher will take notice?

Much better to write a well-argued, polite and reasonable email or letter.

[ForalltheSaints]

I think it may breach the Equalities Act- get some guidance.

I understand the school wanting to improve attendance and those who are absent for trivial matters should be penalised, but this is not the way.