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Vicki brings 'em back into the Fold

Conrad Astley
25/ 2/2003

THE NEW headteacher of a Little Hulton school has kicked off her role there by cutting down on truants.

Vicki Davenport, who started as head of Harrop Fold High at the start of the year, has set up a scheme to target the parents of youngsters who continually bunk off school.

Staff have contacted 20 parents who were identified for attention after careful analysis of school records, and they have since had regular meetings with the education welfare officer. Now, 14 of the persistent truants are back in school, although six parents whose children still do not attend regularly are due to appear in court.

Education bosses are putting the scheme into place in other schools and hope it could be used in every school across the city by July.

Mrs Davenport said: "Many of the parents are now realising the importance of school attendance and attitudes are changing. They now realise they cannot condone the absence of their child from school - and realise they have a responsibility in ensuring their child attends school. We do not want to be punitive - the scheme is not about working against parents but working with them."

She went on: "I am looking forward very much to the challenge ahead. The school is at a very exciting stage of its development. We're considering applying for specialist arts college status.

"We are also intending strengthening our links in the local community and there will be an opportunity for parents to join study clubs with their children at the end of the school day or at weekends."

Salford's education chief Cllr Keith Mann added: "Our approach is not confrontational but a day lost at school is a missed opportunity. They are missed opportunities that will affect the child for the rest of their lives in both cultural and economic terms."