Parents Page - Impact of Every schoolday Counts

Impact of the project

• Primary School attendance is at its highest since 2000/1.
  
• Number of schools with 94% attendance or above is up by 17.3%.
  
• Number of children with 100% attendance has increased by 19.1%.
  
• Absence has reduced from 6.1% to 5.8%.
  
• In 2003/4 19 out of 24 schools given targeted support improved their attendance. Half of the targeted schools are displaying the highest attendance within 4 years!
  
• 6 main sponsors have contributed to ESC success with significant sponsorship coming from City of Sunderland College, IKEA, SAFC, Rotary Club and Local Press. Sponsorship & in kind contributions to date amounts to in excess of £100,000.
  
• Since October 2002 the Project has raised awareness to 23,000 children, 16,000 families and has reached 71,000 children and 209,000 adults through advertising, press, radio, roadshows and literature campaigns.
  
• Over 60 press releases relating to ESC are documented. Click here to view a news story.
• The Every Schoolday Counts message has received national press through its innovative ways of working and features on the DfES as a model of good practice and has been discussed in Parliament. Visit: www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolattendance/goodpractice
  
• Since October 2002 the Project has received 3442 absence referrals from schools in which first day contact was made to families via Primary Support Workers.
  
• A major celebration event for the city’s 100% attenders in 2002/3 accommodated 1300 people that participated in 28 different activities at Shiney Row College. A special celebration for 1008 children and 1008 is scheduled to take place at SAFC on 18th December 2004 for those with 100% attendance for 2003/4.
  
• A partnership between ESC and Hays travel has offered 23,000 children and the 16,000 families the opportunity of saving 10% off their holiday should they book outside term time. A potential saving of £3m! To date this has saved 487 passengers £21,615.
  
• The Project has disseminated its good practice and consulted through 6 major roadshows, international and local events and 15 presentations to other services/organisations.
  
• Extension of ESC Project is being seen through the City’s Behaviour Improvement Plan to develop ESC good practice in Secondary Schools.
  
• Schools are reporting a dramatic increase in parents telephoning School to report first day absence, reducing school administration ‘chase up’.
  
• July 2004 saw two Primary School children be involved in the recruitment of the Projects 3 Primary Support Workers.
  
• In October 2004 ESC secured, through Rotary Club funding, 12 schools £150 each to demonstrate innovative ways to increase attendance.

Further information?

Please contact Every Schoolday Counts on (0191) 553 5431