I am getting really annoyed about apparent favouritism in younger DCs school. I have two children. Elder child goes to what I would term a normal school - teachers seem to like or dislike certain kids but nothing extreme. Everyone is treated fairly; praise in the form of prizes, commendations or certificates are given to a wide range of kids, equal preference for school trips, equal opportunity to apply for special events.
Deep contrast with younger child's school. Here they seem to almost operate a cult built around certain kids. Every year certain kids (about a dozen out of more than 1500 in the whole school) are honoured in a school ceremony and get their photos put up in the corridoor. The same kids always seem to feature in the school prospectus, website pics, the school magazine, meeting dignitaries etc. Recently we were treated to a school mail shot which was built around a long essay that one particular girl in DC's year had written; along with a fawning commentary from a teacher about how wonderful she is. I have never seen anything like it. The girl also has her own art gallery on the school public website - which no other child, however talented has. That is just a couple of examples based on a child in DC's year. Recently a school trip was advertised with only 40 places, which were apparently to be awarded on interest and effort in the subject. The girl and her friends all got places but my DC and none of their friendship group did; I queried it and was told that the places in fact drawn by lot and it was coincidence.
I know several parents that have complained about various incidents to do with favouritism but are basically told they are complaining because they are jealous! It is really having an effect on DC's confidence to never be as good as X - despite getting the same or higher grades in exams and reports. Don't know what to do. Is this school just really weird or is it something others have to put up with!