These Hartlepool pupils love school so much they did not miss a day

As Rift House Primary School breaks up for the summer holidays, children who scored a 100% attendance rate in the last academic year were rewarded.

Ceremonial Hartlepool Mayor, Councillor Rob Cook visited the school in Masefield Road, to hand out certificates and gifts to the dedicated youngsters.

A total of 14 children from reception to Year 6 made it into class every day for all 197 days of the school year since last September.

Headteacher David Turner said: “We had a really big push on attendance this year.

“We gave ourselves a target figure of 96% which we achieved so that was excellent.

“Children in school make better progress academically. Our message was ‘be here and your performance in all subjects will increase’.”

The school laid on activities to keep children engaged during break times and arranged more visits linked to their classroom learning to keep pupils coming back.

“We have tried to make school a much more enjoyable experience,” added Mr Turner.

He also paid tribute to parents for helping the school to achieve the success.

Every pupil who achieved an attendance score of 98% or more was rewarded with a trip to the cinema.

And those who attended 96% of days in the last half term got to watch a movie on the big screen with the school’s film club.