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Original poster

Do other children really think like this (school learning support award)

31 replies

Vegetablespringrolls · 20/10/2026 21:33

Awards evenings for 2 of my dc this week. Awards for 1 person in each subject, one for each tutor group, 3 for the most house points, 3 head of year awards (1 for each of the school values), 1 head teachers award and one for the learning support department. There are other awards like 0 behaviour points and 100% attendance but they are given out in assembly.

Dc4 (year 9) got the learning support award and everyone clapped, his friends said well done etc

Dc3 (year 11) got the learning support award for this year too. Very proud of him, especially as this is the 2nd year in a row he's got it. All the parents clapped but several students who were at the ceremony said his award wasn't a real award, was pathetic etc. Which I thought was awful.

Not many students get invited to these awards, about 40 in the whole year group of 150ish. He was also one of only 4 non prefects there.

OP posts:
Itchthescratch · 22/10/2026 10:09

Vegetablespringrolls · 22/10/2026 09:57

My year 11 child is academically able and predicted to pass all his GCSE's. He has always got 100% attendance and has got 2 learning support awards, this year and last. I don't know how many students there are in the learning support department but probably more than the number of children who were eligible for the food tech and drama awards. There are usually a couple of children who get multiple awards every year, one of those children was one of the ones who called my son's award pathetic.

My year 9 child has learning disabilities, struggles hugely with writing and only learned to write his name in year 3. But he throws himself enthusiastically into everything and walks round school with a huge grin on his face all the time. He joins in with a different club every lunchtime, competes in disability sports for the school and set up his own club as well. He got the learning support award and one of 3 head of year awards. It's not all to do with academic ability.

But your son would have been eligible for all the other awards and this one. The drama and food tech awards are bad comparisons because they are GCSE options and anyone who chose those subjects would be eligible.

Inclusivity is a strange argument as obviously having an award that only a subset of kids are eligible for in the first place isn't the most inclusive policy. The fact that your son has won twice in a row is also a red flag for inclusivity when he is one of the more academically able. Could they really not find anyone else worthy of such a subjective award?

Original poster
Vegetablespringrolls · 22/10/2026 12:15

There are several awards won by the same pupil every year. It's not like reception when everyone gets a chance at star of the week.

Each award means a badge on their blazer. There is only one award ceremony each year but plenty of opportunity to get badges, both competitive and not. You can get badges for being in the school play, joining a club etc. Most people wear their badges with pride. My youngest keeps his in a drawer though because he can't be bothered to un pin them all and pin them on again at the weekend when I wash his blazer!

OP posts:
exhausted97 · 26/10/2026 22:53

Vegetablespringrolls · 22/10/2026 09:19

No, we are in England. I don't know if it's different in different schools but there is no stigma about using the learning support department at my dc school. As long as they behave themselves, anyone is allowed to come in at break or lunchtime, regardless if they have SEN or not. There are children like my youngest who is dropped off there by his TA and picked up afterwards and there are some who come on their own to take part in the activities available. They have animals, there is always a film going in one of the rooms and you can play cards or use the sensory room. Which I think is great for the children who don't qualify for funding or support in lessons but could do with a bit of support or are lonely etc. At the open evening the learning support department is promoted and lots of the year 6's enjoy the activities.

My 18 year old has a similar set up at university. He hasn't needed it so far but it's there.

Ah OK. Its just its very odd to be giving away awards 5 weeks or so into the school year. If your son is happy with his award then I wouldnt worry about what others said. Many teenagers are not nice especially in a school environment. Most young adults I meet are very accepting so I think its a phase. However, I think the school should be packaging this award in a way that didnt need to label the child as having additional needs.

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Ineffable23 · 26/10/2026 22:58

exhausted97 · 26/10/2026 22:53

Ah OK. Its just its very odd to be giving away awards 5 weeks or so into the school year. If your son is happy with his award then I wouldnt worry about what others said. Many teenagers are not nice especially in a school environment. Most young adults I meet are very accepting so I think its a phase. However, I think the school should be packaging this award in a way that didnt need to label the child as having additional needs.

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My school used to do awards about this time of year - pupils who had left were invited back and the awards were for the previous academic year. This would actually have been true for both the secondary schools I knew the arrangements for.

Pearlstillsinging · 26/10/2026 23:05

Vegetablespringrolls · 22/10/2026 12:15

There are several awards won by the same pupil every year. It's not like reception when everyone gets a chance at star of the week.

Each award means a badge on their blazer. There is only one award ceremony each year but plenty of opportunity to get badges, both competitive and not. You can get badges for being in the school play, joining a club etc. Most people wear their badges with pride. My youngest keeps his in a drawer though because he can't be bothered to un pin them all and pin them on again at the weekend when I wash his blazer!

I am surprised at the way the school distributes (or not) the awards, especially for Learning Support. Many of the LS students won't be chosen for any other awards, so this would be a good opportunity to give awards to a broader range of students.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 26/10/2026 23:13

Vegetablespringrolls · 21/10/2026 01:56

Thankyou. Learning support award is for the student who has made the most progress out of all the students who use the Learning support department. Which generally is mostly children with special educational needs but there will be children with emotional needs, children going through trauma etc as well.

I’m all for celebrating success and progress but if I was one of these kids myself - I’m damn sure I wouldn’t want attention drawing to myself as accessing these services!

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