Teach Primary Issue 18.2

The writer is a teacher in England. VO I C E S It’s time we stop handing out rewards for something that for so many children is simply unattainable Attendance certificates aren’t worth the paper they’re written on I t’s not a new phenomenon – schools have been handing out rewards for 100 per cent attendance for years. But it’s an initiative that has always ground my gears, and always will. You may think I’m being over the top; it’s only a certificate after all. To a child though, that piece of paper, and the associated status gained from receiving it, can mean the absolute world. I’m speaking out here as both a teacher and a parent. Don’t get me wrong, I know attendance is of paramount importance in schools. Children need to be in school. Every moment matters and many pupils aren’t present as often as they should be. Action needs to be taken to work towards solving this issue, but I really don’t think attendance rewards and certificates are the answer. As with everything, there is a large group of children for whom this approach is exciting; it works for them, they achieve and meet the success criteria – they attend school every day. These are, in the main, healthy children with supportive home lives. They are the majority, which means there is a minority living a different experience. Those with medical needs or less favourable family support networks do not get to be a part of this celebration. They are set up to fail. They’ll never get a chance to hold the elusive attendance certificate and it will be through no fault of their own. How is this equitable for all? Imagine it’s the end of the week or term, you’re a child in Year 2 sitting in assembly, watching your peers walk to the front of the hall to collect their certificates. Being celebrated for attending school every day. Everyone claps and the recipients smile proudly, lapping up the praise before going off to enjoy their treat of squash and biscuits. You know that will never be you because you didn’t win the health lottery. How would you feel? Or maybe you’re in Year 5. Your class hasn’t won the attendance of the week award as, thanks to you, they didn’t reach 100 per cent attendance for the day, week, term or year, because your mum didn’t want to bring you in. You let them all down again. They have no chance of ever winning the jellybeans, extra playtime or hot chocolate. What could the repercussions of this be to your relationships with your peers at school? Whatever the reason for pupil absence, in many cases it is totally out of a child’s hands. They may miss school for medical reasons. There’s not a lot they can do about that, apart from attend appointments, receive treatment, rest and recuperate; none of which can be carried out in school. Or maybe home circumstances mean they cannot get themselves to school: an issue that needs dealing with through the relevant channels. Neither of these scenarios is the child’s fault, and it’s not fair they miss out on a reward, and consequently feel a failure. They will never be able to achieve attendance success. You also have the illness-spreading issue. Pupils have this 100 per cent attendance thing drilled into them so much that they want to go to school even when they are poorly. Not only are they not giving their bodies the chance to recover, but they are also spreading their germs – potentially to peers and school staff of a more vulnerable disposition. This is not good. If you’re unwell, you need to be at home. Attendance certificate culture can breed so many unhealthy negative emotions within children. Anxiety, disappointment, low self-esteem, anger and fear can all stem from this intention to celebrate. My child had an ongoing medical condition requiring regular check-ups. He was never going to be at school every day, no matter how hard he tried. The number of times we discussed (usually at bedtime when the worries rear their ugly heads) his upset and disappointment at not getting his attendance certificate was too many. He was sad, and questioned over and over why his circumstances deemed him unworthy of reward. He was in school every day that he possibly could be. The words “It’s not fair” may have left his mouth a few times; and although I’m not usually a fan of this phrase, in this instance, I wholeheartedly agree. TP “Whatever the reason for pupil absence, in many cases it is totally out of a child’s hands” www.teachwire.net | 19