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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

100% Attendance Award

131 replies

NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:18

I have always been vehemently against attendance awards anyway as I have a very strong view that children should not be rewarded/praised for the luck of good health...and there are plenty of cases when parents have not kept their little darlings off school when they should have done (E.g. for 48 hours after D&V).

My DD just told me that her school (early secondary) is giving out 100% attendance awards and her friend has got one.

I am GOBSMACKED at this - in a year where isolation was mandatory for positive Covid cases?!?! The friend in question was 'lucky' that she got Covid over the summer holidays. My DD missed some school because she wasn't lucky enough to catch it in the school hols.

How the feck can this be allowed to still be a thing?!

OP posts:
Mysteryuser · 04/07/2022 20:26

Nothing really to add OP, except today I agree with you. It seems a bit of a kick in the teeth, as kids who've had the good fortune not to be unwell are then further rewarded.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/07/2022 20:27

Most attendance awards are a certificate which ends up screwed up in the bottom of a child's bag. I don't know why parents get so bloody wound up over it!

Mysteryuser · 04/07/2022 20:27

To say... thanks autocorrect.

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:30

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/07/2022 20:27

Most attendance awards are a certificate which ends up screwed up in the bottom of a child's bag. I don't know why parents get so bloody wound up over it!

This one is being presented at the school awards evening. Their parents are invited to attend and see their child receive this award.

I'm worked up because it literally rewards kids for something that is purely good luck. It gives totally the wrong message about life!

OP posts:
ldontWanna · 04/07/2022 20:31

You know how at sports day it's the only chance some kids have to shine? For some children, attendance awards are the only ones they will get(at least with any regularity), and a lot of them are quite vulnerable as well in various ways.

Bert2020 · 04/07/2022 20:32

I agree, the amount of illness this year has been staggering and the amount of stupid parents not keeping their kids home really annoys me! That’s why it spreads and my child keeps getting poorly.

Boating123 · 04/07/2022 20:32

I thought school attendance has been bad across the country since the pandemic.
Maybe they are just trying to encourage kids to go to school.

Wolfiefan · 04/07/2022 20:34

The government puts huge pressure on schools to ensure attendance is high. That’s why they do these awards.

balalake · 04/07/2022 20:38

I think you should contact the school (preferably phone call or in person) to express your concern that by having 100% attendance awards they could be putting the health of the children and staff in jeopardy. Covid is very much with us, but the obligation to isolate is not, but more chance if the school does not penalise someone.

theskyispurple · 04/07/2022 20:39

It's madness... mind you my child's primary school gave out certificates to 1 child from each year last week for being 'happy'... I mean ffs the system is broken!

dizzydizzydizzy · 04/07/2022 20:42

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/07/2022 20:27

Most attendance awards are a certificate which ends up screwed up in the bottom of a child's bag. I don't know why parents get so bloody wound up over it!

In our school, those with 100% attendance have their names put into a hat to win an iPad and other prizes.

heartbroken22 · 04/07/2022 20:44

At mine if they get full attendance they get to wear their own clothes by being given a non uniform token. I've seen mothers compete and boast about it. Pathetic really. Thanks for creating a post to make me feel like I'm not the only one with a kid that has gotten sick this year.

ImWithMuriel · 04/07/2022 20:45

Totally agree OP.

Our local high school rewards children who have excellent attendance with a special attendance party.

Next door neighbour's child hasn't met the standard required due to covid and tonsillitis but has worked remotely from home through all illnesses. Next door neighbour is really cross that this has not been recognised and despite keeping up with their work and being really disciplined, even when poorly, that they aren't included.

godmum56 · 04/07/2022 20:46

Why are you talking on MN instead of talking to the school?

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:48

godmum56 · 04/07/2022 20:46

Why are you talking on MN instead of talking to the school?

Who said I'm not going to raise it with school?

OP posts:
Butchyrestingface · 04/07/2022 20:49

My late brother rarely made it through a week of school attendance in winter time due to his health. Sad. Notwithstanding, my mum (herself a teacher) was reluctantly in favour of the attendance awards as she thought it was the only opportunity for some kids to ever get an award.

This was the 80s, mind. Not sure how accurate that rationale would be these days, where they seem able to dream up awards for everything under the sun. Grin

PrivateHall · 04/07/2022 20:50

Couldn't agree more op!

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:51

And given that it's been a pandemic and a legal requirement to self isolate even when asymptomatic, it beggars belief.

OP posts:
Florenz · 04/07/2022 20:52

It's an award. The children that aren't getting the award aren't being punished.

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:53

theskyispurple · 04/07/2022 20:39

It's madness... mind you my child's primary school gave out certificates to 1 child from each year last week for being 'happy'... I mean ffs the system is broken!

Wow. So the children suffering from anxiety, being bullied, with a migraine, grandparent sick etc etc aren't in with a chance. Madness!

OP posts:
DontLookBackInAnger1 · 04/07/2022 20:54

I suspect they realise it's not without its faults. But you'd be surprised how many kids are off for ridiculous reasons under the guise of illness.

Most common is going on holiday due to Covid cancellations. Still.

Evidence shows these rewards improve attendance so that's why they do it. Days off school have big impacts on attainment.

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:54

Florenz · 04/07/2022 20:52

It's an award. The children that aren't getting the award aren't being punished.

No. But they're not being rewarded, like some of their friends are, for the fortune of good health (or in some instances being sent to school when they shouldn't have been and making others sick).

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:55

DontLookBackInAnger1 · 04/07/2022 20:54

I suspect they realise it's not without its faults. But you'd be surprised how many kids are off for ridiculous reasons under the guise of illness.

Most common is going on holiday due to Covid cancellations. Still.

Evidence shows these rewards improve attendance so that's why they do it. Days off school have big impacts on attainment.

I honestly can't see how the potential to get an attendance award would stop a family from going away in term time if they were inclined to do so

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 04/07/2022 20:56

ldontWanna · 04/07/2022 20:31

You know how at sports day it's the only chance some kids have to shine? For some children, attendance awards are the only ones they will get(at least with any regularity), and a lot of them are quite vulnerable as well in various ways.

You can't make a wrong thing right just because it benefits the recipient.

Original poster
NewYorkPleasecake · 04/07/2022 20:58

heartbroken22 · 04/07/2022 20:44

At mine if they get full attendance they get to wear their own clothes by being given a non uniform token. I've seen mothers compete and boast about it. Pathetic really. Thanks for creating a post to make me feel like I'm not the only one with a kid that has gotten sick this year.

Wow!

My DD has had so much time off sick this year for various things including Covid. As it happens, she's getting an award for something else, so she's not put out...but it's mightily unfair on those who have had a run of bad luck with health.

OP posts:
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