Exclusive:School cancels bouncy castle good attendance treat after furious reaction from parents
Newark Primary School thought it was rewarding pupils for good attendance - but parents were livid
A primary school has been forced to cancel a treat for pupils with good attendance after parents dubbed the event “diabolical”.
Well-meaning staff at Newark Primary in Port Glasgow booked a bouncy castle to reward youngsters with most improved or above 95 per cent attendance records.
However, parents said singling out some children for praise would cause distress to those who had been absent from class.
Head teacher Lauren O’Hagan sent out an apologetic letter to families affected.
It reads: “This type of incentive is not our usual, however we had considered it a motivator on this particular occasion.
“We know that our families care deeply about their children’s education.
“We value your input and understand that this proposal has not been received well by our parents, and for that we apologise.”
The school’s attendance officer, Lisa McGroarty, had sent a letter home saying “every day a child spends with us is an opportunity to shine.”
Ms McGroarty explained the school had set an “ambitious target” of 94 per cent attendance but had fallen “slightly short”.
She had booked an inflatables company to set up in the school hall for those with 95 per cent attendance or attendance that improves before March 26.
There was also a whole-school challenge set to see which class could improve attendance most.
Mum-of-three Findlay Astyn took to social media to criticise the plans.
She said she was worried about posting online in case the reaction was not in her favour but said other parents were of the same mind.
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Calling the event “diabolical”, Ms Astyn said: “There’s a crisis with attendance in general all over the UK, and that’s because kids are struggling more than ever with mental health.
“Then you have physical health and complex and additional needs - a huge spectrum of reasons why attendance has fallen everywhere.”
She added: “I say all parents take a stand for the children with lesser attendance and keep all kids off on this 'fun day' and show unity for children less able to attend school.”
In light of the reaction, the attendance event has been cancelled.
A spokeswoman for Inverclyde Council said staff at Newark Primary School have been in touch with parents to reassure them of the intention behind the event.
“They have confirmed that the event, as outlined in the initial letter, will not go ahead,” she added.
“All schools in Inverclyde pride themselves on building strong relationships with parents and carers and creating a strong school community to support all our young people.
“This work will continue, alongside the meaningful, person-centred approach we take to address any issues with pupil attendance.”
Perfect attendance events - once common in primary schools - have dwindled in recent years amid concerns about “ableism” and the putative effect on pupils with additional support needs.
However, attendance across Scottish schools has declined since the pandemic with head teachers struggling to tackle the issue of school refusers.
Last week the Scottish government issued guidance for schools designed to help support young people to be present both in school and to stay in classes.
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