Attendance awards.

[Galena]

So, new head has decided to bring in attendance awards at school. I was worried that this would cause us to disagree because DD has a disability, had major spinal surgery last year and fortnightly physio as well as other checkups. There's no way she'll reach 100% attendance, through no fault of her own, and I'd been dreading them being brought in.

100% attendance for whole academic year - toys r us voucher. Hmmm ready to go in all guns blazing. BUT hold on, what's that?

95% attendance per long term with 3 or less late marks - termly treat. Not so bad, but DD will still struggle to hit 95% probably... Keep reading...

Exceptions to the rule: children with bereavement in immediate family and children under continuous medical treatment for a medical condition diagnosed by a professional.

Is it possible there has been an outbreak of common sense?! hooray!

That's fantastic! So are they going to not count the time of due to the illness or just allow them to take part in the reward no matter what? Either way is a massive breakthrough

New STATUTORY guidance came into force on 1st of Sept

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/306952/Statutory_guidance_on_supporting_pupils_at_school_with_medical_conditions.pdf

It's going to signal a new era of parents not having to give medicine in school, attendance common sense and not stopping children going on trips...

If your child has a medical condition you need to read that

I'm not sure - I would be perfectly happy if it just means her physio and other hospital appointments aren't counted. If she's off poorly, that's just the same as any other child being poorly.

Thanks Doris, interesting reading...

As a governor / parent rep I am excited about it

One word of caution - this came out VERY late in July with very little notice alongside a whole SEN code of practice... Schools and LAs might not be there with arrangements (like who in health will support the health plans with school) but I think it's worth sharing with your schools...

You know in a 'Isn't this brilliant news for children with medical conditions' kind of way

That's fantastic Doris. DS has just started at school and they seem to be fantastic with his asthma so far - in the planning stages at least - but it's good to see things in black and white to help if we encounter any problems.

Well it's better, but nor is it their fault if they have two days off with a sick bug, or two weeks with chicken pox. It's bad enough keeping them home when they want to go and see their friends let alone when they're missing out on prizes for it.

For some kids 100% attendance is all they can achieve. I agree with not being penalised for illness but then surely that should apply to any illness, in which case shouldn't the whole thing be done away with?

I hate attendance awards, not least because it rewards all the little Freds who some into school when they shouldn't, thus passing their communicablel diseases to all the rest of our kids.

My ds was a school refuser (asd) for him 100% was a massive achievement but I get what you're saying.

shouldn't the whole thing be done away with?

This. It completely dismisses individual learning needs. A child constantly missing school for reasons other than illness needs to be addressed by a lot more than offering a toy voucher. Setting individual learning and other targets which include children in the process is far more valuable.

They do class attendance awards in our school. The whole class gets golden time if they hit 100 %.

Bloody awful for the three children with major ongoing health problems. A great way to single them out and turn their friends against them.

Setting targets involving the children doesn't work if it is the parents who are causing the lateness/absence, which at primary level it usually is.

'Major ongoing health problems' would be covered by the wording at DD'S school I think, as long as they had a letter from a health professional.

I agree though, I hate attendance awards, but at least now DD isn't counted out of them purely because of her disability.

That is great. DD's Infant school introduced this and DD fell short by coming late 10 minutes as her doctor's appointment was at 8.30am instead of the usual 7pm and we were not able to re-schedule. They had no exceptions last year, maybe they re-thought it as one of DD's classmates is also chronically ill.

The other side of this was actually a flare up in feverish colds as parents just doped the children with calpol and sending them to school and a D+V bug where parents send children despite being sick the evening or night before.

George - I am sure most children know if one of their classmates has a chronical illness. In DD's case the children took turns helping the boy to remember his medication and the teacher to set her alarm each morning.

It's great that finally sense prevails in realising kids have medical.problems that are ongoing and need regular appointments. Pleased that's been acknowledged and children won't miss out.

However I still think they are ridiculous nd every child has something they can be rewarded for. Kindness, being a good friend, being helpful, always trying their best (regardless of how well they donor don't do. Effort is what count) etc. Being lucky with your health or having parebts that give a shit or don't have medical. Problems themselves and ergo can leave house easily is not something that deserves an award and won't change what kids who are reliant on parents have no control over.

Congrats your car didn't break down have a certificate