Mum furious after children denied cake and hot chocolate over school attendance

A mum has hit out after her two young children were allegedly made to watch classmates eat cake and drink hot chocolate because they did not have 100 per cent attendance.

Danielle Hand, 30, said five-year-old Michael-James Kendall and seven-year-old Brooklyn-Harper Bond came home upset after missing out on the end-of-term treats at their Doncaster primary school.

Brooklyn had missed six days since September, while Michael had missed five. Some absences were for appointments, while Danielle also took the children on an unauthorised four-day UK holiday.

She said pupils with perfect attendance were given cake or cookies and hot chocolate or milkshakes in class on October 22, while those who had missed school received nothing.

Danielle said: “Attendance should not be used as a weapon to not reward a child. In my opinion, it is a form of bullying.

“It was my choice to take them out of school. But the fact they had to watch other children eating and rubbing it in their faces is my issue.

“My children shouldn't be punished for my choice. They also shouldn't be punished for having a necessary eye test or doctor's appointment.”

Michael's attendance stood at 93 per cent and Brooklyn's at 91 per cent.

Danielle said she only discovered what had happened while putting the children to bed.

She said Brooklyn told her she had been sitting in class doing maths while other pupils ate cake in front of her.

Danielle added: “Michael is only five and is being punished for something he doesn't understand.

“I felt sick to my stomach. I was furious.”

She claims the school had previously used treats including ice pops and special Halloween or Christmas events as attendance rewards.

After posting about the latest incident on Facebook, Danielle said her account was viewed more than a million times and prompted thousands of messages.

She has now submitted a formal complaint and launched a petition calling for schools to stop using 100 per cent attendance as the basis for rewards.

Local MP Ed Miliband has also written to Danielle saying he had noted her concerns and encouraged her to pursue them with the school.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust said: “As this matter is currently under review by the school principal in accordance with our complaints procedure, we will not be issuing a comment at this time.”

Ofsted has also been approached for comment.