to think this is unfair

[magic30]

Ds's school were offerring a free after school sports club with a limited number of places. These were to be offered on a 1st come 1st served manner. There was a huge take up and many children were disappointed.
Today I found out that one of the places went to the ds of someone who worked in the school office.
AIBU to be miffed by this?

First come first served when it's over the school never really works acurately/fairly. May simply be that a teacher gets there register in quickly, that someone who's later with theirs ends up on top.

Forms to be in by deadline (even if it's next day) and then names from a hat much fairer.

This was done when I was in Juniors for a residential trip because the number of takers was too high. I got a place fairly and squarely - and my Mum taught there!

op approach the school, ask their policy and make positive and fairer suggestions about how it could work.
Leave the admin staffs DS out of it or they won't take you seriously as they'll think it's personal rather than productive.

*they're

YABU, the child might have gained the place legitimately. But if it was first come first served, it's always possible it was fair, but the employee would have seen that it was popular and known she would have to be speedy to get her DC's name down. I wouldn't stress. As this employee probably has to work beyond school closing time, perhaps they badger their DC to enrol for convenience reasons?

But OP theirs wasn't the only child selected. How can they ever get to participate in any of these clubs if they are seen to be at an unfair advantage because of their parent's job?

I think the problem is really down to communication. If parents had received a letter saying that x number of forms were received in on the 1st day and children were selected at random. Than this would prevent such speculation.
Receiving a letter saying sorry you weren't quick enough when you sent it in at the earliest opportunity leave school open to such speculation.

I imagine they have some means of ensuring fairness in these things, such as staff not being allowed to hand in forms early etc. Mind you, I think all school staff should have some form of compensation for having to work with the little brats darlings; apart from the massive pay cheques, high status and overwhelming respect they get already.

Yabu. You don't know that she was first on the list and as office staff, she probably had the letter on the same day as everyone else.

When we have had things like this I have gone straight back into the office with my cheque book on the same day to try and secure a place. Everyone had the chance to do that, not just the office lady.

magic go and make the suggestion then. I gave you advice ^^ above and as I work in education I know what does and doesn't work.

Jux yes, quite

I certainly wouldn't involve individuals. I think schools perhaps should have realised that since this is the only free club ever run at school that demand would outstrip availability. Therefore, it should have been communicated to parents that all forms received on 1st feasible day of return were given same priority. or to create a deadline maybe 2 days later.
If it ever happens again I will have to rifle through 3 school bags and return form on same day.

I do see the point, if i work in an office and i know this is going to happen i can put my child's application in before the letter goes out.
if this is what has happened it is a bit unfair.
you could always offer to start your own after school club for some of the other kids.

YABU - and a bit weird really.

I live closer to my local primary school, would that give me an unfair advantage?

You need to get on with other stuff. Life isn't fair.

I'm afraid this would be just one of the things I mentally file under

'Well, That's Life'

My child has come out of school with a 'first come, first served' letter in the past and I've signed it there and then and handed it straight into the office.

Perhaps that's put people who are unable to pick their own kids up at a disadvantage?

First come first served is full of flaws. What about the children who, God Forbid, aren't actually picked up by their mothers every day so cannot get their cheque in there and then?
However, I would let it go, it really isn't worth getting upset about.

Could you see if you could help at the club - would that enable your DD and say 5 other children to join in?

Some really good suggestions here. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to help as I have 2 other children. The school are unable to run it on another day as all days are filled with other paid activities.
I will certainly be going through school bags at the start of next term if they run it again. Also think that maybe I should have handed form into office personally. Unfortunately ds wanted to do it himself.
Going to resign it to "well that's life" box. A very overflowing box at the moment.

Actually if there was a member of staff, admin or teaching to whom that extra hour would help their working time I see no reason why they shouldn't be given priority.