18/07/2008
Cool to be in school
Pupils at two Liverpool primary schools are to be rewarded for a massive improvement in attendance on Monday (21st July 2008).
They have won prizes as part of a competition organised by the city council's education welfare team and Radio City 96.7.
Over 300 children from St John's Catholic Primary School in Kirkdale will be bopping along to a 60's themed disco in honour of the Beatles dressed in mop top wigs and flower power wigs, hosted by breakfast show presenter Kev Seed.
It follows a huge increase in the number of children attending lessons - up from 76 percent to 92 percent in just one year, which has helped them scoop top prize.
Headteacher Eileen McBirnie said: "We're really delighted with the improvement in attendance and this is a result of a lot of hard work involving the school council, teachers, learning mentors, pupils and parents."
Meanwhile, six pupils at Phoenix Primary School in Kensington who have had a 100 percent attendance record since last September will be the envy of their friends as they are taken on a limousine ride around Liverpool on the hunt for Superlambananas! The school has improved average attendance from 90 percent to 96 percent over the last year.
Councillor Keith Turner, executive member for education, said: "Every single lesson counts for children and it is vitally important that we get through to pupils and parents the importance of attending regularly.
"All the evidence we have is that the more lessons children miss, the more likely they are not to get decent exam results and go on to get a good job.
"I am delighted at the success the schools have had in improving attendance - it is a tribute to the hard work of staff, pupils and parents."
Over 100 children at schools across the city have also been rewarded with prizes such as Nintendo Wii's and tickets to pop concerts as part of the initiative, which has been running since April.
The city council in partnership with schools and Merseyside Police has improved attendance levels in Liverpool consistently since 2000.
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