A school attendance promotion day held in Carlisle last week (Monday 11 March) has been hailed a success by the participating organisations.
Cumbria County Council’s Children’s Services,Cumbria Police and Connexions Service carried out the joint initiative. Its aim was to promote the importance of regular school attendance, and parents' responsibilities.
A mobile police information point van was based throughout the day in the centre of Carlisle, where police officers and county council education welfare officers were on hand to provide information and advice.
As well as the information point, there was a joint patrol of police officers and education welfare, where parents and carers were interviewed about the reason they had young people with them during school hours.
Fifty-three pupils were stopped during the day of which just over half were male (31) and under half were female (22).
The majority stopped (40) were of secondary school age whilst the remaining 12 were of primary school age.
In all, one third were accompanied by a parent (18) and two thirds were either on their own or in a group of young people their own age.
Nearly two thirds appeared to have genuine reasons for absence from school, largely illness or medical/dental appointments, whilst a third appeared to have no valid reason for their absence from school.
Stephen Mason is the commissioning manager for attendance and inclusion at Cumbria County Council. He said:
"We are pleased with the way the day went.
"The aim of this joint initiative was to highlight the importance of school attendance, and the implications of missing out on education. Evidence shows there is a strong link between attendance and attainment, and the more qualifications a young person gains, the better their potential earnings and life chances in the future.
"Our Education Welfare officers have contacted schools and the parents of all the pupils we sopped last week. We will be offering appropriate support and advice to those pupils and families who are clearly experiencing difficulties."
End
From: Alison Lister, Media Officer on (01228) 606335 until 6.30pm Thursday 20 March.
Please note: the council offices are closed from Friday 21 March - Tuesday 24 March inclusive with emergency calls only being taken.