ATTENDANCE at Trinity Academy in Thorne has hit its highest level since the school opened in 2005.
The academy is presently recording 95.2 per cent attendance, which is above the national average and an improvement on last year’s rate of 94.7 per cent.
The local average last year was 93.5 per cent, and the national average was 94.1 per cent.
A number of initiatives have contributed to the improvement, including intervention with students of concern and targeting families with a record of poorer attendance.
Academy principal Ian Brew said weekly meetings with staff responsible for attendance were having an impact.
“These meetings, at which exclusion data is analysed to include specific learner groups, have proven very successful because issues are identified quickly, actions are agreed and strategies are implemented to challenge absence from school and support positive change,” he explained.
Parents were asked to join attendance support meetings and staff visit families at home to identify what help can be offered.
Support can include timetable adjustments to meet the individual needs of children or family support from external agencies.
Since September the academy has employed two intervention coordinators who provide additional support in school for students who display challenging behaviour, as well as having two learning mentors who support vulnerable students.
The intervention coordinators also organise group work to improve attendance and behaviour.
Mr Brew added: “Positive attendance is promoted in the academy at every opportunity; in assemblies, via displays, notices, emails, our internal television network, for the leavers’ Prom and so on, and we have a comprehensive reward system for high attendance.
“Together, all of these initiatives are helping us tackle an issue that many schools face and, ultimately, are ensuring that children receive the education they need.”