to be annoyed ith the school - how many times can you penalise a child for poor attendance

[654321]

There are mixed opinions about taking your kids out of school, and we made a choice to take DS out of school for 5 days in total.....these were treated as unauthorised absence. Now bearing in mind that since reception DS's attendance has always been in the high 90's (around 98%) Im not typically a parent that takes non attendance lightly...and there were genuine non financial reasons for not taking holidays during the appropriate holidays - but I also accept that no one twisted my arm to go on holiday.

DS did not qualify for the xmas treat - day trip to the panto because of his attendance - which he accepted as he knew we had been away on holiday and got to do things whist other kids were in school - however now he has been told in addition to that he cannot attend the end of year christmas disco...

How many things can they disqualify him from - he is being punished for something that was technically my choice. It seems that the message is that anything nice coming up he wont be able to do because of his attendance - it just seems to be labouring the point at the expense of the child...DS is 12YO btw :)

I don't know how far they can stretch it, OP. I agree that it's very harsh and not fair to punish a child. I think that I'd be trying to tackle this on a group basis though rather than as a single parent trying to take on the establishment.

If ill children can miss out just the same then there's something very wrong with the whole policy and it needs sorting out.

blissfulmistletoe , are your son's medical appointments agreed in advance with the school? I think the difference in the op's case is that she was refused permission by the school for the holiday and took him anyway in the full knowledge that it was unauthorised leave.
For children with recognised medical conditions, the school can't refuse to authorise the time off, so the child shouldn't be penalised in the same way.

Glad I haven't offended - meant to put a on the end....

Exactly, hardgoing. It's bollocks isn't it? The school/ schools in general should be directing their energies elsewhere. My eldest DC has only taken one day off this year (this week) through a sickness bug and he was jumpy and uneasy about it because he was aiming for 100% attendance. He shouldn't even have to think about it. Like you say, you have no control over these things.
Also, re. lunch box thing in the wrong hands these sort of policies lead to humiliating children. I remember one mother who had a very fussy eater telling me that the head at her child's school held up her child's lunch box as an example of an unhealthy lunchbox. It was a marmite sandwich FFS. What does that achieve?

Perhaps the policy needs to be looked at.

i think the children should bring all missed work home, for the parents to go through with them......then if the work is not completed then the child will face losing the treats.

all apponment letter go into the school, so all athorised.

Blissful - dont get me started on homework - I am THE homework parent from hell :)

DS knows how importantly I rate homework and assessments - He wouldnt DARE miss a homework - we even get the homeworks from when he was on holiday and these were done

I work as an attendance officer in a primary school and I think this is appalling OP.

Whilst I absolutely get get the need to push the need for good attendance, they're punishing your child for something he has no control over and that's just crap really.

Seems simple to me OP, you took him out this term, so the treats linked to good attendance for the term are lost. Next term is a new start.
I do disagree wholeheartedly with sanctioning anyone for a medical absence, it should be unauthorised absences only that count.

I think that is an absolutely horrible idea. I really do. What a ridiculous set up. So, any child who has had flu for example wont get the treat, and, as you say, any child who has been taken out on holiday by their family wont qualify regardless of the fact that they had no say in the matter. Absolutely dreadful. If anyone suggested a horrible idea like this in our staffroom they would be laughed out of the room.

IME most schools do not differentiate between authorised and unauthorised absence when rewarding attendance.

Which makes the ridiculous farcical.

Downbytheriverside - Im getting sick of typing this but here goes again :)

I agree with the consequence but the school is extending the freakin consequence to every freakin treat they dream up between now and xmas !!!

Children should NEVER be punished for things that are not under their control. What on earth does that teach?!

Ooh Cherries, fantastic point, may I use that ? :)

I am an advisory teacher for children in care. Quite often, when children are living in abusive or neglectful home, their attendance is very poor. For them to be punished for this is disgraceful. When they go into care, attendance improves. Can anyone explain to me how they are in control of this and should be rewarded for it? Or perhaps what lesson they should be learning by being denied a reward/rewarded for situations completely outside their control?

I agree with the panto treat being missed as a consequence, as the OP knew about that prior.

I don't agree the disco should be withdrawn as a treat also, as that had not been discussed prior and it seems it hadn't been arranged at the time anyway.

Regardless of the fact that OP's DS seems not to mind missing the disco, it should still be challenged for consistency over this policy.

I also don't agree that children with long term medical conditions should be penalised. I think this should be challenged under the disability discrimination act.

just to put a spin on this debate, do you think some parents send there child to school ill because of the policy regarding attendance

Blissful to answer your question - yes I do....

I know I have done, my rule is, if there is a temp or D&V they stay off...otherwise they have a go with the exception of chicken pox, broken leg etc

You asked how long it was going to last, and I gave you my opinion.
I don't give a stuff if your child is in school or not TBH.
It's up to you.

Exactly tethers it is absolutely dreadful and makes me feel very sad to read about. I work in such a lovely school where children and their families are treated with great respect. Everyone that works in the school loves children, is kind and caring and would never want to penalise a child in such an unkind way for something they haven't even done. I am depressed by lot of what I read on MN in terms of what happens in some schools.

Be my guest 654321, I feel really bad for you and your DC. I know it is not the end of the world but it is totally unacceptable.

Cherries I agree, I think some schools are so disrespectful towards both children and their parents and it leaves an unpleasant taste :(

I do disagree wholeheartedly with sanctioning anyone for a medical absence

WTF?

You wouldn't sanction someone being absent for a medical reason?

That's appalling.

Shelly, I think they meant 'sanctioning' as in receiving a sanction, rather than allowing it IYSWIM...

Yanbu totally unacceptable. Complain to the highest authority