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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

School punctuality

138 replies

whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 18:25

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?

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 26/02/2019 19:27

Our old primary used to run a (not shouted about) 'morning club' that was separate from the paid childcare breakfast club.

It was targeted directly at the children of chaotic families who were getting to school late with no breakfast. If they got into school by a certain time, they got free breakfast. It was invitation only and did not 'compete' with the breakfast club because its clientele didn't overlap.

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:28

Why are you asking MN on AIBU this question!!

Many many schools (most) have sanctions and procedures for lates.

Artfullydead · 26/02/2019 19:28

Possibly, although something being free is one surefire way to put people who need it, off it, perversely.

Artfullydead · 26/02/2019 19:29

Bit different at primary though Piggy

Drogosnextwife · 26/02/2019 19:29

No it's a stupid idea, and can't really imagine you would have the authority to enforce that punishment.

WhatNow40 · 26/02/2019 19:29

Do you have any budget at all? It's not fair on the rest of the school but:

I'd identify the core offenders and offer an incentive. Every full week of being on time gets an entry in to a draw for something kids would like/parents would value. McD vouchers?! 😬

or a lucky dip box that a kid can have a go if they get a full week. Fill it with party bag tat and McD happy meal toys etc.

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:32

It might well eb diffenret at a primary but schools still have to have policies and procedures. As an aside, the rot sets in at primary re attendance and latenesss attitude formation.

But, that aside, OP , you should post this on staffroom, perhaps or discuss it at school/ with your governors....

TheFirstRuleOfFightClub · 26/02/2019 19:32

How many children are you talking about here? Are they evenly spread across the school years? Are any from the same families?

Artfullydead · 26/02/2019 19:33

So what should she do Piggy - coz tbf I don't know either!

Original poster
whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 19:33

Okay. As I've said a couple of times, thank you all, I will rethink/accept I can't do much about it. Thank you to all those offering constructive alternatives. Its very hard to accept when there's not much you can do. As mentioned, I've physically walked round to the houses to pick them up, acted as an alarm clock. The door isn't answered and the phone calls the same.

But as I've said, I'll rethink.

I don't need it to be implied that I don't care about these children - I have posted a tiny snippet of my day and the suggestion of a solution that hasn't been implemented yet. That is all.

OP posts:
TheFirstRuleOfFightClub · 26/02/2019 19:34

There's no harm using us as a sounding board first though, firstly there's loads of us, second we're from all kinds of backgrounds and third, not many on here mince their words. If one good suggestion can be made then it can be taken back to the school.

TheDarkPassenger · 26/02/2019 19:35

Ours call social services

Sirzy · 26/02/2019 19:35

If a parent is struggling to get up that on its own is the sign on a “chaotic” home. Alienating the children further isn’t going to help.

We had issues with our attendance officer being Arsey and not helpful about ds attendance and punctuality (SEN both out of my hands) but when she sat down and worked with us we managed to come up with ideas which made things easier for ds

In most cases regularly lateness is a symptom of a bigger issue that needs looking at

Holidayshopping · 26/02/2019 19:35

Apologies for my tone.

I’ll rephrase.

Yes, in answer to your question, that would be unfair both on the children who have very little say in how/when they arrive at school and on the teachers if they had to implement the sanctions.

Original poster
whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 19:35

Fight Club - I'm talking about 10%

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:36

It's not what OP should or should not do, it's just that on AIBU on MN , she is not going to bet all that many helpful or suppportive (or educationa informed) responses.

OP, have you or anyone called meetings with parents, written home? Put something in the newsletter?

Original poster
whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 19:36

Piggy - yes I have. See my previous responses.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:36

Apols for terrible typing !

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:37

Sorry OP, missed that particualr one : I could see you were going to more effort than is probably worth it.

You need to take this to governors. 10% is a lot and Ofsted would notice!

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:39

What does your head say? What is s/he doing?

Original poster
whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 19:39

Piggy, this is my concern. It's a significant amount and it is shrugged off. I'm not talking about the CP or SEN cases here.

OP posts:
Original poster
whenskiesaregrey · 26/02/2019 19:40

Head is supportive of any approach that will improve punctuality!

OP posts:
llangennith · 26/02/2019 19:42

You don't punish a child for their parents' tardiness.
Lateness affects the teachers not the child. The teacher has to take the time to explain what they're doing to the child who is late and that's really annoying.
You say part of your role is to monitor attendance and punctuality. I'm sure nowhere in your job description does it say you have to enforce these things.

PtahNeith · 26/02/2019 19:43

Our old primary used to run a (not shouted about) 'morning club' that was separate from the paid childcare breakfast club.

It was targeted directly at the children of chaotic families who were getting to school late with no breakfast. If they got into school by a certain time, they got free breakfast. It was invitation only and did not 'compete' with the breakfast club because its clientele didn't overlap.

I've seen a similar set up work well.

This is a bigger issue than timekeeping, so whatever can be done to help the children in the middle of it should be prioritised, especially above unwritten rules about "competition".

It's worth it to break children out of that chaotic, limiting cycle.

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2019 19:43

The head needs to be more than that : he or she needs to offer you advice/ give guidance/ step up themselves if what you are trying is not working.

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