School punctuality

[whenskiesaregrey]

Part of my job role is to monitor attendance and punctuality in a school, the latter being an issue in our school. Parents will regularly rock up 15, 20, 30 minutes late for school. This obviously impacts on the kids and them settling into class, starting their learning etc. The reasons from parents are very often that the parent overslept or they didn't leave on time AKA not real reasons. Or no reason at all! It's always the same families, often multiple siblings. I'm thinking of bringing in a rule that once you've had five lates in one term, the child will start staying in at break to account for however many minutes late they are and catch up on missed work. This will obviously not include extenuating circumstances (SEN, medical etc). If there is a one off problem, this won't affect you (because they will have been late fewer than five times). Kids are primary age. What would you think? AIBU? Is it reasonable to be late more that five times a term for no good reason?

[Slowknitter]

Even if no other solutions work, you shouldn't punish the children. If you can't find a workable penalty that the parents actually respond to or care about, I'd say it's a problem you can't really solve.

[GregoryPeckingDuck]

Well that’s a bit mean isn’t it? Clearly theoarebts don’t care so why would keeping the child in make any difference?

[goldengummybear]

There are primary schools that issue fines for persistent lateness.

[Potcallingkettle]

At what point do you record children as unauthorised late (U) as opposed to late (L) ? U is an unauthorised absence code and counts as an unauthorised half day absence. Your attendance policy and your LA attendance policy should have a threshold for unauthorised absence to trigger a penalty notice

[whenskiesaregrey]

I really am talking about when there is no good reason. Its such an impossible situation. I feel we are letting these kids down by accepting that they regularly miss the first part of the day. We have no external services. It is left to school to resolve, and there are repercussions if we don't.

I totally understand those saying it's unfair on the kids. That is my concern, hence asking. I'm at a loss. Nothing else is working and I want to try and improve things. I know that some of these families will be outraged by this suggestion, so maybe it might help to motivate them to get up in the morning. I'm talking about the regular, not that bothered, no real reason for late scenarios.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Back to the drawing board it is then.

[whenskiesaregrey]

U at 9.30. Before then, its L.

[houseofrabbits]

I'm a primary school teacher. Your idea is absolutely unfair on the child and I would be furious if my school tried to implement something like this. I don't know what will work, but that certainly won't! Families who are consistently late for school often have a variety of issues occurring at home, the threat of their child missing their playtime is not going to work.

[whenskiesaregrey]

We can't offer breakfast club as there is a nursery on site who offers this provision. We have an unwritten rule than we won't compete with that.

[houseofrabbits]

Cross posted with you OP. Families might say they have no real reason for being late, but you don't know the reality of their situation.

[TheFirstRuleOfFightClub]

What funding is available to the school? What about having an Educational Welfare Officer available once a week, they may be able to make progress where teachers can't. What do you already have in place? Do you agree on improvement plans with targets with parents?

[lablablab]

Don't punish the kids. It's not their fault if they're only primary age!

Can you implement some very long winded forms for the parents to fill in detailing why they're late every time? Maybe 3 strikes and then temporary suspension for the child? A fine? You need to punish the parents.

[IncrediblySadToo]

These children are suffering from that delayed start to the day

...yeeess....and how, exactly, is punishing them going to help that?!

[Holidayshopping]

In terms of who would supervise - the class teacher often stays in the classroom during that time.

Fan fucking tastic. Yes, I am usually there during playtime, but your ingenious plan would mean I couldn’t go and photocopy, go to the toilet or have a drink! Great for work/life balance-I’m sure it will do wonders for recruitment and retention!

Are you SLT?

[dreichuplands]

Rather like a previous poster I once lived in a Latin American country where after 8:30 when school began the gate was locked and after once being late your DC would not be admitted for the day. Despite lateness being a cultural way of life for many everyone pretty much managed to bring their DC on time as they didn't want them on their hands all day.

[whenskiesaregrey]

Our local authority has scrapped the Education Welfare Officers. Without wanting to sound obstructive, I feel like I've tried everything.

I'm the safeguarding lead, so aware of most extenuating circumstances (as mentioned in OP).

Okay, thanks for the input all.

[Artfullydead]

Think differently.

If they are always missing the first fifteen minutes of Maths, don't make Maths the first lesson.

[Toughtips]

Oh please, you can't have all the half terms and inset days and summer holiday's and then penalise kids and parents for being late into school.

I say this as someone who 9/10 gets their kids to school on time.

I work full time myself. Id rather kids have less holidays off than worry about being late.

[TheFirstRuleOfFightClub]

Is there some funding available you could use for the breakfast club then? As you'll know, these children are probably seriously lacking quality nutrition along with other things.

[IncrediblySadToo]

Maybe 3 strikes and then temporary suspension for the child? A fine? You need to punish the parents

Again. How is that going to help the children? Less education. More stigma. Fabulous 🙄

[whenskiesaregrey]

@Holidayshopping there is no need for the tone. I am trying to find a solution to a problem and asking to constructive feedback. Yes you may not think its any good, but still no need for your tone.

[mumwon]

put late parents first name & faces on dc class window :) (joking … mind thinking about it???) seriously I cm for years had dc with sn who was dire In the morning (as in walking zombie when I finally was able to get her up -so I use to get up before 6 & start waking her to get her ready) I walked several dc to school over 15 years & I have to say I was never late. BUT if parent has health issue or there is a problem with public transport or dc has issues - than tell the teacher/school & that should be enough but don't punish child & fining parents - what if they don't pay?

[SleepWarrior]

School newsletter with a name and shame section where you put photos of the offending parents!

I'm kidding really.

This is the sad reality of a chaotic family life and there just isn't much you can do, short of collecting the kid yourself. I'd have thought the best thing you can do (for the children) is make sure they don't feel embarrassed or stigmatised, check they've actually had breakfast, and keep an eye out for signs of any other problems that can go alongside a chaotic homelife such as abuse or neglect. Some parents just can't cope/wont engage properly.

[TheFirstRuleOfFightClub]

Tough The children described will be from mostly dysfunctional families and possibly known to ss for various reasons, they are not the children that occasionally come in 5 minutes late.

[Artfullydead]

Holiday is right though OP!

[IncrediblySadToo]

I think, by far, the FREE breakfast would probably be the best incentive. However, that’s staff time & money which the school is unlikely to have.

I imagine the least worst option is, as PP’s. have said, is to make the process of signing them in late arduous and unappealing, plus schedule the least important part of the day first thing.