Attendance

Behaviour

Primary

Mick sees how a school uses its two sites to its advantage

Mick Waters visits Bowling Park Primary school in Bradford to see how the school is improving attendance and learning. Bowling Park Primary in Bradford is an amalgamation of two schools, one of which was formerly in special measures.New head Stuart Herrington, has worked hard to improve on attendance and has worked closely with staff to ensure that pupils work in an inspirational learning environment. Year 6 pupils Ibby and Scarletta show Mick round the New Cross Site, dropping in on a Year 5 class before their visit to Whitby, where Mick gets to play the drums in an African drumming class, and visits the school garden club. Mick is also interviewed by the school's media team. In the afternoon pupils Chelsia and Qaveem take Mick to the Usher Street site, where they explain the rewards system for attendance, see the garden and finish off Mick's visit by watching pupils perform African dancing.

Bowling Park Primary School, Bradford

The success story of a school's focus on attendance and support

Award-winning headteacher Catherine Hobbs tells the success story of St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School, where a focus on attendance and individual support has seen significant improvements. A Year 6 class is follows on from the Up for It Juniors scheme as they take part in a mini lecture and graduation ceremony at the University of Portsmouth. Head of the project, Suzy Henderson, explains the importance of encouraging children to aim higher before they reach secondary school. Extended services manager at Portsmouth County Council, Mark Scarborough, highlights the benefits of a carefully coordinated multi-agency approach in an area of urban deprivation. Also, find out how a mobile skate park at St Edmund's School is helping to bridge the gender attainment gap.

Portsmouth

Harbinger School's tough policy on allowing term time holidays

This programme profiles Harbinger School on the Isle of Dogs, which has adopted a tough policy on allowing holidays during term time. Headteacher Mandy Boutwood argues that the policy is fair because it prevents arbitrary decisions being taken about which holidays are acceptable and which are not. There are three case studies of parents who have recently taken their children on trips away from Harbinger School during term time. These illustrate the impact of such trips on a pupil's education. The case studies also highlight three important issues: the educational worth of holidays abroad, the affordability of holidays and the impact of longer trips abroad. Five years ago Tower Hamlets recommended a zero tolerance policy for holidays in term time, which some schools in the borough, such as Harbinger, adopted. The tough approach simplifies some of the complexities involved and the schools find it reduces the number of pupils taking trips.

Primary Attendance - Holidays in Term Time

How Hackney's attendance is improving using strict measures

Shacklewell Primary School's attendance was found to be unsatisfactory by Ofsted in 2002 but now its close to the national average. This programme looks at the reasons behind this success story as well as some of Hackney's tougher measures. We see a truancy sweep at Dalston Market and a home visit to a parent whose daughter's attendance slipped to 67 per cent earlier in the year. Over the past five years The Learning Trust, which runs Hackney's education service, has got much tougher on primary school attendance and made a 30 per cent improvement. The government offers a wide range of measures to improve attendance, but unlike some authorities, Hackney is prepared to use the most severe. Parents have faced court action and fines up to £2,500. The Learning Trust has found it's the threat as well as a willingness to prosecute that's been the key to reducing absence in primary schools.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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Bowling Park Primary School, Bradford

Portsmouth

Primary Attendance - Holidays in Term Time

Primary Attendance - Parentally Condoned Absence