Miltoncross Academy named one of England's most improved schools for attendance
Secondary school among the most improved
Bettering attendance has been at the forefront of a secondary school which has now been named one of the most improved in the country.
Fischer Family Trust (FFT) National Attendance Awards has found Miltoncross Academy, in Milton Road, is one of the 25 most improved secondary schools for attendance.
Nick Giles, headteacher at Miltoncross Academy, said: "Good attendance and engagement take collective effort from everyone, every single day.
“We have been clear that we want our young people to look forward to school, to feel safe, respected and successful. Achieving a spot in the top 25 most improved schools nationally demonstrates what happens when a school and its local community pull together with high ambitions and no excuses."
FFT tracks daily data across thousands of schools to celebrate outstanding progress and engagement.
Initiatives including the ACE Mentoring Programme ensure students have dedicated adults supporting their academic, personal, and social growth. By fostering open lines of communication with families and creating a welcoming, predictable environment, Miltoncross has built a culture where students feel seen, valued and motivated to attend.
Mr Giles added: "We are immensely proud of this city and proud of our school community.
"This award belongs to our pupils who turn up ready to learn, our families who support us every step of the way and our incredible staff who go above and beyond. Together, we are showing that Miltoncross is a place where young people thrive."
In the school’s Ofsted monitoring report, which was published last year, it noted how “pupils’ attendance is improving”, and the school has been “working closely with families where there are significant issues, leading to more regular attendance for individuals.”