Why are we running an attendance campaign?
Regular school attendance is important. Children who attend school often do better in learning and have more chances in life. It also helps their wellbeing by making friends, joining activities, and learning in a safe environment.
Attendance in Staffordshire schools has dropped by 2.3% compared to previous years. Many schools already have great ideas to boost attendance, but we want to support them with a county-wide campaign.
That’s why we launched Little Heroes for primary schools across Staffordshire.
What is the Little Heroes campaign?
We know some families find school attendance hard and some children face big challenges. Our campaign supports both.
The campaign has two parts:
1. Little Heroes
A fun and motivational way to encourage attendance with the message:
Here – Everyday – Ready – On time
Schools get creative materials, and children receive stickers and certificates for their efforts.
2. Helpful Heroes
For children who feel anxious about school.
We created a Helpful Heroes workbook to help children understand their feelings and learn coping skills through hero-themed mindfulness activities. Parents and teachers can use the workbook to support children and understand what helps them feel calm.
Where are we now?
The campaign started in September 2024 and has already helped improve attendance and wellbeing. Round 2 will launch in September 2025 with more resources for schools.
How you can get involved
- Share our posts on social media
- Like, comment, and spread the word
- Enjoy our Little Heroes stories and give feedback
If you’re a school or council and want to know more, contact: danielle.taylor2@staffordshire.gov.uk