Why won't schools recognise and encourage talent?

[Binpedal]

My dd is talented at music - Grade 6 and in first year of high school. Sure I know there will be even more talented than her across the country but she was always the best musician throughout primary school and pretty much one of the best in her section of high school.
She is quiet, studious etc.
Not one prize or formal recognition throughout all her school life. In a recent high school competition she didn't even get a commendation although pupils playing much lower graded pieces did and got prizes.
We are not entitled and we are not taking anything away from those pupils. We have never bragged or put her on social media. We have never talked to her schools or made a fuss. But she is becoming despondent and it breaks my heart. She doesn't expect prizes every time and we have tried to teach her that it's about the journey and the passion etc how much joy it brings us.
But once would be nice. A feeling that the teachers understand the hard work that goes into playing grade 6 music to that standard.

You’re actually talking about one school- the school your child attends.

Perhaps the award was for progress noted in school from a starting point of no experience. If she’s enjoying her music, likes playing on her own and playing in an orchestra, that’s a positive surely?

Are you complaining about the primary or the secondary (yr7?) Too late for primary, but anyway, ours has celebrations notices in school letters where kids could report achievements outside of school activities, such as music grades, swimming 3000 m, etc. There's also a celebrations board in the school where kids can ask to put up notices about their achievements & all to see.

DC secondary, there are separate assembly awards for attainment & effort, which is where someone like OP's DD would get recognition, ime. In addition to the occasional musical event. DD was only grade 3-4 violin but played orchestra with the yr11s in music BTEC group.

So no lack of recognition at our (bog standard mediocre) local schools.

The lower grade pupils were probably judged against other lower grade pupils and received their prizes because they were the best beginner violinist or whatever. It would be unfair to judge someone who had taken up an instrument a year ago against someone like your DD who has played for years. Your DD is "pretty much amongst the best in her section of high school", so perhaps not actually the best and most deserving of a prize when judged against other pupils playing at a comparable level.

As she progresses through school, she probably will get prizes, in recognition of her objective achievements in music as an actual taught subject, which is different to prizes given for simply playing an instrument.

I have 3 dc that do lots of things outside school. Performing, music, and sports. They're at a standard comp.

The school does recognise these things in a "headmaster's praise"-they get to miss an assembly and have tea and cakes.
I don't think they should. Often the things they're getting recognition for, other children would have loved to have the opportunity to do, and mine got a day off to go and do it. And mine are lucky to have had those opportunities even if sometimes they have to work very hard to get there.

Yes it's often hard work, but they get recognition by the passing the exam, the applause from the audience, the winning the sports competitions.

It's also in a large school inconsistent. It depends on the parent (or child) telling a teacher. That specific teacher remembering at the right time that this child is doing it and deciding that they can be recognised for it. It's also fraught with issues such as for example the time when 3 from dd1's drama group were recognised for being part of a performance. There were 5 others who were not-not because of any deliberate slight, but simply the school was not aware. The 3 recognised were in the same form and had decided to use the performance to get out of homework on the evening.

To me that sort of event should be focused on recognising achievement in school for something that won't otherwise get recognition. So helping out at open evening, or perhaps if a teacher spots someone going above and beyond to help another pupil,
perhaps hugely extra effort on homework. Maybe if the football team wins a major tournament, but not simply being picked for it.

Well my dd was the best based on grade played and competency but I appreciate there are other factors to judge.
However don't claim it's a straight out competition based on achievement if the decision is based on other factors.
It's the bullshit I hate. Just give out prizes for hardest work, overcoming adversity etc. Don't give out numerous prizes based on talent and ability then exclude one of the most competent from those prizes! It's hurtful. I've consoled DD with the fact that she got a huge applause and many outward expressions of surprise from fellow pupils that she didn't get a prize. It was unjust and young people are so hurt by injustice.