What would you do? - Child disappointed

[OhOGee]

At the end of each whole term at my ds school, they hold an awards assembly. Ds has never received one. He's in lower primary.

Last week I received an email inviting me to the award assembly. I was so happy for ds and ds was very excited. The night before he was feeling worried about standing in front of the school and had trouble sleeping. I reassured him it would be ok and he eventually got some sleep.

The day of the award he was so excited. A bit nervous still but looking forward to it.

I finished work early to attend and went to the school. I sat looking at ds feeling very proud. A few names were called out but no mention of my ds. I could see ds was becoming increasingly more anxious. The awards drew to a close and I felt so disappointed for ds as he wasn't mentioned at all. I caught his teacher at the end and she said there must have been a mix up with the emails. No apology. Said ds did not actually get an award.

I could have cried for ds. He looked so confused and emotional. I took him home and he cried in the car.

What would you have done in that situation? At the time I just needed to get ds out of the school as I could see he just wanted to get home. I feel like I should have said more.

I've emailed the school but it wasn't directly to the headteacher as I only had the general office email. I doubt I will get a reply until they are back at school.

Me and ds have had a lovely few days and he's had lots of treats. He hasn't mentioned the awards for a while now but every time I think about it, it upsets me.

Can you get some sort of award on the internet for ‘best son ever’ or similar and have it sent to him ? So sorry for him - that post made me cry .

Definitely don't leave it there and follow up after the Easter hols if you don't hear. It really is completely out order and they need to recrify it somehow. He should 100% get an award next time there is an opportunity and in the meantime they need to help him build his confidence back up, he was so nervous the night before poor love. Glad you've had a lovely few days. Xx

It's a sad life lesson for a little one. I'd definitely email the school and tell my wee boy just how cross you are with them and why. After all you both were really excited about this only to be let down.

When I send out the emails for our school, I triple check the list, I’d hate for this to happen. I also tick off the child names as the parents arrive for the assembly, if anyone unexpected arrives we would quickly write out a certificate. We would never just not give the child anything. We have had on occasion the parents turning up at the wrong assembly unfortunately and had to do this.

I'd have a meeting with the head teacher to address your concerns.

I would raise a complaint about this. It is unforgiveable to disappoint a child like this - and a real confidence killer. Some sort of reparation should be made.

@OhOGee , Have you had a response, assuming DC started back at school today?

I was a teacher and would have quickly rectified this and added an award if a mistake like this was made. Awful! If it couldn't have been changed at the time, I would have done a special award the next day in class and made a big deal of it. Your poor DS. This sort of thing means so much to kids.

Hi OP. Did you get a response from the school? I think it's a pretty poor show to do this to a child (never mind the impact on you and your work). It does indeed deserve to be taken further. I would have been livid!

I don't recommend offering unlimited amount of food when people are disappointed. It only teaches people to use food as comfort

Really? You've bumped a thread from April for that nasty little nugget of self-righteous judgement? Give yourself a pat on the back.