Is this unfair? School

[AnitaB9]

My DC age 6. Their primary school does a ‘name and fame’ thing every week, where they can earn points and be awarded with extra play time or something like that. The same DC has got it 4 weeks in a row now. Parents are saying this isn’t fair. What do you think?

Very odd. All schools I have worked in {teacher] make sure all the children are recognised by working down a list, merit be damned. Never been sure if this was the right way either, but better than the OP scenario.

I’m not sure it is better @user1492809438

just for argument sake, if this child is actually the only one behaving, I kinda agree with them getting it! It’s certainly no sillier than the taking it in turns farce whereby child B gets it for behaving once like child A does all day every day.

I think everyone has raised some valid points. Reward systems in schools can be great motivators, but they really need to strike a balance between recognizing genuine effort and maintaining fairness. It’s fine not to “share it round” just for the sake of it, but schools should also keep an open mind about what counts as an achievement. If the same child keeps being rewarded, that might suggest the criteria are a bit too narrow.
While traditional systems worked in the past, progress means finding better and more inclusive ways to motivate children, not just sticking with “it’s always been done this way.” Some schools handle this well by rotating recognition so that every child eventually has a chance to be acknowledged — that approach helps reduce unnecessary competition and parental stress.
It’s also important that rewards are based on goals all children can realistically achieve, not just those who are naturally stronger in certain areas. When everyone feels they have a fair chance to earn points or recognition, motivation stays high and the system feels meaningful.

Agree. Often schools too often focus on giving points for the child who usually misbehaves as a way to try and encourage them to make the right choice. Maybe this teacher has decided to go against the grain and actually reward the child who actually does the right thing every time, even if it means the same child wins each week.

The list of things they can get points for are pretty standard. So if they are looking at who is doing these behaviours then if often is the same children who are often over looked as teachers actively seek out names of those who don't, so in some ways I admire this teacher for making sure this child is rewarded (assuming they are doing this). It used to annoy me knowing my kids were generally good at school yet headteacher awards are.always given to those who have found school.difficult.

The only issue is if can backfire. By always awarding the well behaved, the others become less likely to try as they know the same person will always win. E.g my son always won most points on TT Rockstars and once said his friends didn't try as they knew he would always do more (he really loves maths and a competition).

Not really relevant but this has reminded me of a teacher at my comp who ran a general knowledge quiz during a triple lesson, winner got 50p and 15 mins to run to the shops for an ice cream, I won it 6 weeks on the trot, the other kids kicked off, he just said 'try reading papers and watching the news, then' , although it was dropped the following term. I enjoyed that term. 😂

Pretty low bar for a modern school behaviour management approach!

I think other children do get points. For example, my DD said she got 9 this week. So it’s possible that most or all children have some points. It’s just whenever has the most by Friday that gets the reward

Whoever*!

Not really. Behaviour is terrible in schools these days. Time to stop the pathetic reward systems - they’re not working.

School rewards are not the cause of serious behaviour issues.

No, but parents who are more bothered about taking turns rather than encouraging their own child to be the kid who behaves well enough to get these rewards, are.

When my son was little he asked why Charlie got house points for sitting still on the carpet when I don't and I always sit still on the carpet? I had to explain that Charlie was a nasty little oik generally and therefore he got points on the rare occasion he wasn't being one.

Indeed they are not, and at no point did I say they were. My point was that they are not the solution to serious behaviour issues.

The child sounds like a great worker and this should be cherished. But i think peace needs to ensue.