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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To hate (with a passion) 100% attendance awards?

142 replies

SteadyEddie · 02/06/2014 08:02

DD's school have an award ceremony where everyone who has had 100% attendance for that academic year gets a certificate, and then get to go and watch a film as a 'reward'.

I know they want to encourage 100% attendance, but AIBU to hate this idea? DD has an eye condition which means attending hospital appointments every 6 weeks, which are run in the daytime, so she has had 5 afternoon sessions missed this year, and another tomorrow, so she wont be allowed to the special event.

I know that we have to teach our children that life isn't fair, but really, at 5, especially when its through no fault of her own? She already hated her eye condition as it is.

OP posts:

Rideronthestorm · 14/06/2014 07:45

I was a teacher and I am the mother of 2 asthmatic sons. I hated the 100% awards when I was just a teacher - if DCs are unwell they shouldn't be in school spreading their germs around. The awards encourage this.

I hated them even more when my DCs started school because both missed a lot of time due to being unable to breathe properly. Very unfair.

I'd be more in favour if it was 100% attendance or authorised absence due to illness.

itsbetterthanabox · 14/06/2014 08:00

It would make more sense to do it senior schools seeing as that's when kids start to choose not go in and skip school. But they only seem to do them in primary

livelablove · 14/06/2014 08:06

I agree too. If they want to reward something it should be based on effort and showing a good attitude.

Tangerinefairy · 14/06/2014 08:09

I am a teacher. We've never had these certificates at my school which is outstanding and has great attendance. They are ridiculous however, way back on the thread one poster pointed out that as her son didn't get recognised in other ways he was thrilled to get his attendance certificate which is a fair point.

Tangerinefairy · 14/06/2014 08:10

As for the treat as well as the certificate....ridiculous.

duchesse · 15/06/2014 09:37

If PTA are prepared to fund activities to reward 100% I guess it's because it's seen as something that benefits the entire school. Indeed it does as it's one of Ofsted's nasty little measures. This means that presenteeism, even of a highly unwell child, is viewed as better for the common good than staying away to avoid spreading contagion, which I find extremely warped.

Pumpkinpositive · 15/06/2014 09:53

My late brother (life threatening asthma, latterly brain tumour) adored school and would have pegged a tent in the playground if he could. But attendance was poor due to illness and he was so immuno compromised he picked up every bug going.

These kids already get dealt a shitty hand in life - whether through illness or parents who don't value education enough to send them.

Why do some schools see the need to rub their faces in their misfortune?

UrbaneLandlord · 15/06/2014 10:31

Recognition & reward of 100% attendance is an excellent idea and a good behaviour driver.

There is no criticism of absenteeism for genuine reasons: any more than awards for attainment in other areas (maths, sports, music, etc) are criticism of people who are genuinely not very good (or only average) in those areas.

It's a sad thing when pupils have to miss out on days of their education due to genuine illness. But that is no reason to "level down" the other more fortunate pupils who are capable of putting in an excellent 100% attendance. The receipt of an award might encourage many to put in that extra bit of effort to achieve 100% attendance.

Final point: there may be many average & below-average performing pupils for whom the 100% attendance certificate is the only "prize" they're ever going to get. And later on in life, this will add greatly to their employability & success in work. They may never be a "star performer" but the fact they can at least be relied upon to turn up for work and keep the place open & turning over is a much-valued trait.

RedSoloCup · 15/06/2014 10:35

Our school doesn't count hospital appointments as a non attendance.

LeapingOverTheWall · 15/06/2014 11:18

our secondary does own clothes on the last day of each half term for 100% attendance that half term. I complained to the new head who introduced it as a parent of a DC with a long term variable condition with hospital appointments an hour's travel away, AND orthodontic treatment at a different hospital half an hour away (where the broken braces clinic runs from 8-8.30 M-F). She otld me she had no intention of discriminating against those with disabilities, but that re-setting the clock each half term gave DC a new opportunity to rise to the challenge.

However, the following half term I noticed that the policy had changed for those with chronic medical conditions and disabilities, and they were to be dealt with on an individual basis.

Still hate 100% attendance awards.

PerksOfBeingNorthern · 15/06/2014 11:28

When I was doing my teacher training one of the (outstanding!) schools I worked in did a weekly award with a trophy for best attendance.
My (KS1) class never won, nor were they ever in the top three. I asked a staff member if child X's attendance was included. It was, I was told, and the point of it was that it was a 'class effort'.
Child X had leukaemia and was undergoing treatment.
It really changed my opinion of the school-and that so many of the staff saw no problem with it. Glad I don't work at a school that does this.

Sirzy · 15/06/2014 11:36

Yup that 100% attendance certicate from year 1 will really increase the employability 20 years down the line!

casparthecat · 15/06/2014 11:42

Ridiculous.

It will morph into presenteeism when they get to work. We're working harder and longer than ever and getting more ill as a result. Taking time off because you are ill is important. We're not machines!!!

DickDasterdly · 15/06/2014 12:14

I don't mind them at all. I don't think you should have a reward but recognising 100% attendance by giving a certificate perfectly ok.

I presume people who object dislike academic or sports awards as well. However hard some children work it would be impossible for them to achieve top marks or to win at sports.

My DS2 finished sixth form college with 100% attendance over the whole of his 2 years, quite rightly there was no school acknowledgement but I thought it was really impressive.

Sirzy · 15/06/2014 12:19

The academic and sports stuff schools often also recognise effort so there is something for most students to work towards.

AmazingMorning · 15/06/2014 12:28

YANBU OP. I don't like attendance awards because I know so many kids miss out for being unwell or having health conditions.

Pumpkinpositive · 15/06/2014 12:36

I presume people who object dislike academic or sports awards as well. However hard some children work it would be impossible for them to achieve top marks or to win at sports.

I think there is a qualitative difference between a child not winning a prize for top marks or sports (I wouldn't have won a sports event even if I'd been the only competitor in the race!) and a child not winning an attendance award because they have a life limiting illness.

Prizes for endeavour (as opposed to achievement) or, to a lesser extend, most improved, would surely be the fairest way to go.

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