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Original poster

School attendance

57 replies

Fantasia99 · 17/11/2023 16:10

I understand schools have to reach certain attendance %s, however in my son's school, the children who come first every week get to pick a new book for their classroom, and are 'celebrated' in assembly. My son's class is never first, despite him getting 100% attendance, and it feels like the children being punished for either their classmates being unwell, or their parents not bringing them to school. They're the only class not to have ever got a new book. He's come home today saying what's the point in going if other people don't turn up and he doesn't get a new book because of them. It's disheartening. Does anyone else have similar or am I just being soft?

OP posts:
Dixiechickonhols · 17/11/2023 16:33

I’d contact school and say what you’ve said here. It’s not encouraging them to embrace children with disabilities, health issues, difficult social situations..it creates a why do we have to have ‘Katie’ in our class she’s always off ostracising the child.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 17/11/2023 16:27

I see both sides as I have always hated attendance rewards for these exact reasons. However, I’ve also worked in a school penalised for lack of attendance. Some of that was illness but a lot was term time holidays.

CloudOfDust · 17/11/2023 16:24

You can raise it with the school but they are unlikely to change.

Teach your child that going to school is important for learning and friendships but health comes first. Have a chat about how fortunate he is to be well but that other kids aren’t so fortunate. Tell him that schools aren’t always right.

Original poster
Fantasia99 · 17/11/2023 16:15

NuffSaidSam · 17/11/2023 16:13

It's a ridiculous policy and I'd speak to the school.

I'd also tell your son, it's a ridiculous policy and not to worry about it. Presumably you have books at home?

Yes loads!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fantasia99 · 17/11/2023 16:14

KateyCuckoo · 17/11/2023 16:12

Ah life's not fair unfortunately.

It has also lead to some of the kids saying unkind things about the children who have time off school which again, seems inevitable.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 17/11/2023 16:13

It's a ridiculous policy and I'd speak to the school.

I'd also tell your son, it's a ridiculous policy and not to worry about it. Presumably you have books at home?

KateyCuckoo · 17/11/2023 16:12

Ah life's not fair unfortunately.

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