Hi,

I am looking for a bit of support after primary school children at Bede Burn Primary School were awarded 100% attendance last term in the form of ice creams whilst classmates who haven not been as fortunate to have full health were made to get on with their work, after posting into Hebburn’s Community Group I was made aware it’s a common practice in South Tyneside, as well as St Oswalds, who has the same Head Teacher.

This form of rewarding attendance is unacceptable and non inclusive as children as young as 4 years old have came out of school upset, feeling taunted, damaged confidence and wishing change on themselves. What ever happened to the 100% attendance certificates, or house points, or the sticker system instead of taunting young children with food? Why fix a system that wasn’t broken? 

The Marcus Rashford Movement - where footballer Marcus Rashford fought to end child hunger and provide free meals in the pandemic to under privaledged families - seems so quickly forgotten. There are many families in the North East who will not be able to afford these tasty treats at home and young children would have been taunted with not being allowed one. 

This matter was raised with the Head Teacher at Bede Burn Primary and a very nonchalant attitude was returned so now I am looking for support to demonstrate this is beyond unacceptable.

Physical health and learning effort don’t correlate at all. You can reward attendance in other ways than food without shaming other children who have had hardships with their health. 

Please sign this signature to demonstrate to Bede Burn Primary School and the surround primary schools in South Tyneside this is unacceptable.

Thank you.