A SCHEME promoting good attendance among primary school pupils and their parents is being run in Wearside.

The Every Schoolday Counts project, supported by the Children's Fund and Sunderland Education Authority, involves children being rewarded for good attendance and awards for unblemished records.

Families are being contacted by schools to develop attendance strategies for their children.

There will also be rewards for families who help bring about the best improvements in children's attendance.

The project is being supported by Sunderland University.

Pat Dutton, headteacher of Washington Village Primary School, said: "This is one of the first initiatives I have come across that actually gives pupils - regardless of age or ability - the opportunity to be rewarded for good attendance."

A full-scale launch of the project is planned for January.