Pupils from five South Cumbrian secondary schools are to be awarded by Cumbria County Council's education welfare service for their good attendance record with a free trip to the Apollo cinema tomorrow.
Around 450 pupils from Parkview, Alfred Barrow, Ulverston Victoria High, Thorncliffe and Newbridge House will be watching the film 'The Pacifier'. All the pupils have either improved their attendance, have 100% attendance or are in the class with the best attendance in their school.
County councillor Philip Chappelhow, cabinet spokesman for children's services said:
"Regular school attendance is so important for children to make sure they get the best possible opportunity to achieve their full potential. They develop good habits which are important at school, further education and work. Cumbria County Council’s education welfare service works very hard to keep unnecessary absence from school as low as possible and I think it’s a good idea to reward those children for their achievements."
Nicky Braund-Smith, education welfare officer and LPSA attendance project supervisor for South Cumbria said:
"This year the project has been working closely with our target secondary schools to reduce unauthorised absence. Our target is for the secondary schools unauthorised figure to be 0.72%. We are encouraging all parents to contact school on the first day of absence, to inform them why their child is absent. By doing this, they ensure their child's attendance record is accurate and that they and the school know the child is safe at home. Good attendance at school is so important and its lovely to see so many children who have very good attendance and or are marking efforts to improve. Its never too late to turn things around and the rewards, for the pupil, their parents and the school are instantaneous."