PUPILS and staff at a Hartlepool primary school are celebrating after a successful drive to cut absenteeism.

Attendance figures for Golden Flatts School have risen by 6.9 per cent from 87.7 per cent to 94.6 per cent over the past academic year.

The school is one of six that have been taking part in recent months in a campaign to cut unnecessary absenteeism among youngsters.

Local Education Authority (LEA) attendance manager Julie Armstrong said: "To improve attendance by such a large amount is absolutely outstanding and it reflects the commitment of staff, pupils and parents.

"The other schools involved in the campaign, Owton Manor, Brougham, Grange, Jesmond Road and St Helens' have all benefited too."

Headteacher Kate Callan said: "Initiatives have included register monitoring and punctuality checks. In fact, the whole ethos of the school has changed and I am delighted with our achievements. This has been a real team effort involving staff, pupils and parents."

An assembly was held recently where pupils received a special prize to mark their achievements.

Archie Bear, the attendance campaign's mascot, was handed over to the school for safe keeping.