to expect the school to judge competitions fairly?

[MINIBondGirl]

We seem to have a few very competitive parents and when a project or competition comes up it is blatantly obvious when the work has been done more by or exclusively by the parent rather than the child. (We're talking infant school). Every time there is judging involved it is the ones done by the parents who always win. I really feel for the children who put a great deal of effort in and know they have no chance of winning.

The school says they want to encourage the parents to be involved but surely some common sense could be applied when choosing a winner? You could say that the parents should just do all the work - but what's the point?

YANBU, I hate it when parents have obviously done the majority of the work and then "win". The worst one I can remember was when a competition came round to create a collage of a castle. My son chose what he wanted to make his castle from, we bought sandpaper, clay, etc,etc. He handed it in and all the winners were those who totally ignored the word "Collage" and had built a castle. The school felt that it was unreasonable that their hard work didn't get recognised. It's much harder to make an impressive collage than a model (imo) and if they wanted to do this then I felt they should have had a seperate category. [still feeling miffed about it! emoticon]

I'm making my kids make 'something' (won't say what, it might out me!) in Art/Dt this year instead of it being a home project over half term. No way did any of the kids last year actually make their 'something' it was CLEARLY obvious that the parents had done most of the work. Terrible unfair on those kids who don't have parents who are willing to help!

Can you believe though that I actually got told by another teacher that I was stupid and I should have just let them do it at home because it was less hassle and the end results looked better on the school?!

Personally I am still feeling bitter about the wonky cardboard circles made by 2 year olds that beat my DD's amazing, elaborate Easter bonnet masterpiece from last year.

Fair judging? I don't think so.

MINIbondgirl.... I reckon I teach at your children's school!! it's laughable how much effort is put in by parents, but bloody HILARIOUS when the child admits with a shrug, that their mum made it! I had a poor little girl with many SEN who was really confused when asked how she made her incredibly intricate homework... She just told us that mummy made it after she had gone to bed! Stupid competitive parents!

Haha its clearly a common problem.....