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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 100% attendance is unrealistic

31 replies

ellielong · 09/10/2018 18:57

I know some manage it which is great. But I can’t help but think that once a child has had a day off there’s nothing to aim for then.

Wouldn’t it be better to award 95% attendance or similar?

OP posts:
SassitudeandSparkle · 09/10/2018 19:00

I think my DD's school does this, actually - there is some kind of draw for anyone with over a certain percentage of attendance, not 100 but in the high nineties.

I hate attendance awards in general tbh, you can't help being sick!

DiveBombingSeagull · 09/10/2018 19:05

These things really piss me off. Both DCs have multiple chronic health conditions so were never going to get one of these - way to go for making them feel bad school.

And don't get me started on the many posts on social media that parents are so proud of their DCs 100% awards - proud of what? Making them go in when they were poorly so making everyone else ill? Or proud that they were blessed with good health and a strong immune system?

whereareyousleep · 09/10/2018 20:39

My ds has at least one hospital appointment a term has had 2 already since September so never gets the awards it's a rubbish system for those with health conditions

HomeMadeMadness · 09/10/2018 20:45

I think it's better not to award at all to be honest. Ridiculous. DC's always go in if they're well enough to and I'm not sure why anyone would want them dragging their germs into school if they're not well enough to be there.

lljkk · 09/10/2018 20:46

They do termly awards so every term is a fresh start.
Honestly I find it a total faff to go to the 90min. awards ceremony, watch all the kids get the truly neat awards & then mine gets (only) an attendance cert. at the end. Just WTF. Try to smile thru gritted teeth coz DS still likes to go. Pfffft.

Stonebake · 09/10/2018 20:55

Mine aren’t school age yet, but this is completely ridiculous to me too. Nobody wants their children at home unless they have to be. Most parents work and have to take AL to
cover caring for a sick child. Why would they want that? And why would schools want to encourage children to show up sick. Ridiculous. And rewards for what... not being sick? Pfft.

Ofchris · 09/10/2018 20:57

I disagree with it too. DS pretty much always gets 100% attendance but DD has a disability and has to attend hospital appointments so can never achieve it. Seems like blatant discrimination.

OnceUponATimeInAmerica · 09/10/2018 20:58

Why are children rewarded for things that are out of their control? A child doesn't get to decide whether to get in on time or not (leaving aside all the other perfectly legitimate reasons for absence). The parents have the ultimate control over getting them up and in on time.

blueskiesandforests · 09/10/2018 20:59

My dc3 had 100% attendance last year. He pointed it out. Nobody else had noticed. He was proud (he's 7) and somewhat amazed at his luck at not being ill for a whole year. He didn't need an award.

We're abroad though and schools dont do any of those stupid made up awards and certificates for random non achievement.

Thisreallyisafarce · 09/10/2018 20:59

I understand why schools do it - there is a direct link between attendance and performance. But YANBU as most children will be legitimately ill sometimes. 97-98% is excellent attendance, whereas 95% is average. I wouldn't reward average, but I would reward excellent.

donkeysandzebras · 09/10/2018 21:03

DC1 has had the award for the past two years. DC2 hasn't due to his hospital appt.
DC1 has already had to miss a day this term as she did get ill. DC2 will have more hospital appt this year. I'm thinking of taking them to Alton Towers for a day before it shuts for the winter as it will be nice & quiet.

MrsStrowman · 09/10/2018 21:25

I had 100% attendance 4 out of 5 years at secondary school, we used to get a little badge for our blazers and earlier finish on the last day of term. It was something within my control, there were a few days that I didn't feel at my best, not really ill but a little run down and probably could've convinced my parents I should stay off, I chose to go to school instead. Whereas I had friends who would have days off because they were feeling tired and school was a bit much for them that day. Which work ethic is most useful for adult life?

MrsStrowman · 09/10/2018 21:26

Oh and the year I didn't get it, I had tonsillitis and rightly was kept off.

formerbabe · 09/10/2018 21:29

Dc1 got a certificate once for 100% attendance. It was just luck he never got ill that year.

Thatstheendofmytether · 09/10/2018 21:32

We should all just send our children to school when they are really sick, and when the school phones for us to collect tell them "oh but we are aiming for 100% attendance this year". That might make them rethink attendance awards. Couldn't be that cruel to children though.

Sirzy · 09/10/2018 21:34

At primary level especially it is rarely in control of the child.

Rewards in school for attendance just draw attention to those who can’t reach the ideal which is sad as they are often the most vulnerable children at school . Those who have medical issues, those who are carers, those who are living in abusive houses, those who are being bullied etc etc.

No amount of rewards will change things for those pupils. What they need is support and if possible help to improve things which will in turn improve attendance

SachaStark · 09/10/2018 21:35

95% is nothing to aim for! That's one day off in every four weeks of school, way too much absence.

I have a couple of students I've barely seen so far this year. One has been away for over a week with a cold Hmm

LucieMorningstar · 09/10/2018 21:37

Our juniors do Bronze, Silver and Gold attendance awards. I think that’s a good idea so more kids get included.

Muddlingalongalone · 09/10/2018 21:39

Dd1 is obsessed with this bloody award. Last term she was at the hospital until 11am so didn't get it & was devastated.
She's already talking about this term grrrr

malvinandhobbes · 09/10/2018 21:40

I hate it. My 13 year old is determined to get this award this year because he is an anxious perfectionist who likes to jump through all the hoops.

Because he is an anxious perfectionist he sometimes really needs a rest day. He does very well in school with 97% attendance. I am discouraging this.

PhilomenaButterfly · 09/10/2018 21:40

Yes MrsStrowman, but what about children who are born ill, a cold or flu could put them in hospital? That was DS1.

Merryoldgoat · 09/10/2018 21:41

They are one of my pet hates and reward sheer luck at primary age in particular.

Until the teachers will regularly monitor temperatures, give Calpol, apply Vicks, provide fluids and ensure they rest they’re staying home when sick.

My son gets everything. He’s been off for two days already this term and had 4 doctors appointments for a recurrent Strep A infection that just won’t budge. We’re on course no. 3 of antibiotics. It’s not his fault. When he starts to understand attendance awards I’ll teach him what ‘presenteeism’ means.

LtGreggs · 09/10/2018 21:41

It's the students that SachaStark mentions that it's aimed at - those with no special health condition but miss plenty of days for 'a cold', 'tired', 'birthday' etc etc

But I doubt it's at all effective, and has all the downsides listed above.

They'd do better to send every parent a termly letter saying 'school average attendance was x%, your child's attendance was y%`.

ItsAHardKn0ckLife1 · 09/10/2018 21:44

My DD is in year 6 and her classmate has literally never had a day off school sick...100% attendance. I can’t understand it tbh, have her parents ignored the 48h rule? Has she never had a tummy bug? 🤷🏻‍♀️

annikin · 09/10/2018 21:46

I can't respect these awards. As pp have said, either children are sent in when they shouldn't be, to share their germs, or by pure good luck they have strong immune systems. I don't see either as something to be rewarded for.

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