Family Solicitors Suffolk – Should schools offer incentives for good attendance?


‘It’s reported in the news today that an academy has paid out £32,000 on a trip to New York as a reward for children with good attendance records. The pupils travelling will apparently learn about art, architecture, music, terrorism and politics.

Already there is talk about the unfair nature of such a trip, in relation to other pupils at the school (should the money have been spent on another teacher), parents (who may flood the school with applications causing problems at admission time and during the appeal process) and other local schools (who may not be able to keep up and see a dearth of applications). The school selected the children on attendance and attitude and each had to write a letter of application. Only time will tell whether the school will resist the tide of criticism and repeat the exercise.’

Nicola Furmston is a family law solicitor at Barker Gotelee, solicitors in Suffolk. Barker Gotelee specialise in school appeals.

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