The importance of attending school regularly and on time is being emphasised to primary pupils in a fun way through a pilot scheme, Every Day Counts.

Pauline Garcia, Investigations and Education Liaison Manager with the Department of Education and Children (DEC), has devised a 50-minute interactive session that encourages Year 6 pupils to consider the impact on their own and others’ education if they miss or are late for school.

Pauline said: ‘Year 6 pupils start secondary school next year and at that stage, the impact of being late or not attending becomes more pronounced. There is strong evidence that lateness and non-attendance at school can have a negative impact in later life.

‘The session is a fun and engaging way of reinforcing to pupils the importance of making the most of every day at school.’

The initial sessions are being delivered by the DEC’s Education Liaison Officers with support from the Isle of Man Government’s Learning, Education and Development team. Future sessions will be delivered by Education Liaison Officers.

‘Pupils are given wristbands, kindly supported by Shoprite, which remind them that Every Day Counts,’ Pauline said.

‘Pupils’ input is collated and sent back to schools so they have a record of the lesson and can continue to talk about it in class and also take this home to their parents. We appreciate the continued support from parents to encourage good attendance.’

So far, three schools have enjoyed the lesson, with visits to more planned.

‘If the pilot is successful, Every Day Counts will be rolled out to all primaries by the end of the academic year and even adapted for use in secondary schools,’ Pauline said.

Photo - Pupils in Year 6 at Andreas Primary School – from left Anya Lace, Aedan Corkill, Joey Callow, Tom Keig, Toni O'Rourke, Joseph Devaney – showing their Shoprite-supported wristbands after their class enjoyed Every Day Counts.