Haven High Academy, based in Boston, Lincolnshire, has ignited a debate through an initiative designed to enhance student attendance, offering a 40-inch smart TV as a prize to students who achieve full attendance. Dr Martha Deiros Collado, a child clinical psychologist, has criticised this approach, referring to it as ‘outrageous’. She has pointed out that some pupils might not be able to achieve flawless attendance due to legitimate reasons such as health issues or bereavement.
The school’s Headteacher, Austin Sheppard, however, advocates the initiative, underscoring the correlation between continuous attendance and improved academic performance. Notably, Haven High Academy, previously deemed ‘inadequate’ by an Ofsted rating, is striving to improve its status by augmenting student attendance. Already it ranks among the top three in Lincolnshire for the most improved attendance in 2024/25.
While the initiative has received support from some parents, educational experts, including Dr Chris Rolph – a past headteacher at Monks Dyke School in Louth, have expressed caution. They emphasise the need to focus on long-term educational advantages rather than short-lived rewards. It remains a subject of considerable debate whether these types of external motivators genuinely address the root causes impacting school attendance.
The original coverage of this story was sourced from www.bbc.com and has subsequently been adapted for The Lincoln Post.
