A SCHOOL is tackling its problem with punctuality by offering incentives in the form of prizes to pupils who beat the clock.

A recent inspectors' report highlighted the trouble with time-keeping at Barden High.

But the school is fighting back with £1,200 backing from East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council's education and business partnership.

Head of lower school Stephen Thornton said: "We are using the money to purchase trophies to reward forms for punctuality and will be buying display materials to raise awareness.

"The £5 will go to the form tutor to spend on the class as they see fit.

"This is an element for discussion and one of the ideas put forward is buying a box of pens or pencils."

The school applied for the ELTEC grant when it introduced an inter-form attendence competition last May.

Now any boy who arrives 10 minutes after the start of school or at lunch time will be interviewed by his form tutor to find out why.

If a boy does not turn up at all, a call is made to his parents that day asking for a reason for his absence.

Mr Thornton said: "We are very well respected in the county for our efforts to improve attendances.

"Attendence is a common problem within Burnley. We have such a disjointed start to the year with a Bank Holiday and then the local holiday in September. I don't know whether starting the school year later would make a difference."

"I believe Barden provides a very good service and is a very good school."

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