AIMING HIGH: Elm Academy in Bournemouth has launched a drive to encourage 100% attendance from its pupils. Pictured are just some of the children who have achieved 100% attendance.
A Bournemouth school has seen its attendance records boosted after introducing a raft of incentive measures.
Elm Academy has launched various schemes to encourage all its children to aim for 100% attendance.
Each half term the class with the best attendance receives a trophy, which takes pride and place in the classroom.
And at the end of every term all the children who have recorded 100% attendance are entered into a raffle where they, or their parents, can win a range of donated prizes.
Then at the end of the academic year, every child who has finished with a 100% attendance record gets to make their own ‘attendance bear’ at the Build a Bear workshop.
Headteacher, Jo Fish, said: “We know that children who attend school every day are far more likely to reach their full potential than those who miss too much schooling.
“Boosting attendance levels goes hand in hand with our overall aim of raising expectations to lead to high achievement.
“In addition to our incentive schemes, we have also introduced more themed and fun days as we are looking to inspire awe and wonder as we teach the curriculum.”
Such enrichment days have already seen an increase in attendance.
World Book Day recorded the best Thursday attendance of the school year, with a 3% increase.
A Disney themed day to support Elm’s entry in Junior Rock Challenge saw a 2.5% increase on a normal Friday’s attendance level.
And to tap into that Elm, which has recently become a member of the Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT), has introduced the ‘Feel Good Friday’.
AAT Director and executive principal of Elm Academy, Paul Holman said: “Improving attendance is one of our top priorities and we will continue to develop initiatives to support this.
“It’s been fantastic to see the children embrace some of the incentives we have introduced and they are thoroughly enjoying the enrichment days that are making learning and coming to school so much fun.”
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