DS (6, yr1) was proud to receive a 100% attendance certificate and badge when he was in Reception. This year he has also not missed a day so has been looking forwards to receiving another award at the end of term.
We received his report on Friday and it turns out that one session has been recorded as an absence. He has had two medical appointments missing part of the morning session, a local GP appointment which caused him to sign in late by about 10-15 minutes, and an x-ray in a neighbouring town at 9 am which meant he signed in around 10:30. Presumably the x-ray is the one that was "absent" despite still attending much of the morning session.
I've queried this with the admin staff this morning. Apparently, had he been present for the register, then gone he would have been marked in. Ironically, going to x-ray for 9am reduced loss of school time as the travel time was in our time, and the queues hadn't yet built up (we'd been referred by minor injuries the night before after x-ray closed). Another irony is that the injury was incurred in school (sprain not break).
I know the whole concept of a 100% attendance award is a dubious concept anyway, but IABU to be miffed that he's apparently missed out on one by about 90 minutes at the wrong time of the morning. He's been looking forwards to this unaware that his chances have been down the pan since partway through September. (No pressure from me, he's a very conscientious child who is motivated by such rewards)
(Please note he has been fortunate to be healthy with nothing worse than a bog standard cold. No vomiting bugs have been spread)
AIBU?
School attendance and appointment times
SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 24/07/2017 11:27
Termly is a better idea as it is more inclusive for those who have sporadic long term appointments at regular intervals. At least some terms they'll get a better chance if the appointments fall around it.
I've had a friend who works in school admin confirm that it's a general policy, not specifically the school. Oh well, I now know for future reference that it's better to waste the school day after 9am than try to be efficient 
Make your appointments at the end of the day, absence will not be recorded then.
In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't worth worrying about. I have never been asked whether I had 100% attendance at interviews and I doubt anybody ever has
Yabu.
I have adopted 4 children with major health needs. They stand no chance of ever getting a 100% attendance cert... how do you think they feel when their pals come bounding of out of assembly with certificates, cinema vouchers, £100 or a new bike.
The system stinks - I cant exactly phone the consultant - 5 consultants actually - and say sorry we'll only attend weekend appointments from now on!
As for our out of country appointments to GOSH....well the mind boggles as to how we'd get there without missing school 
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.