A SCHOOL has given 100 pupils alarm clocks to encourage them to get to class on time.
Teachers at Albion High handed out the clocks to children who are regularly late.
The school was placed into special measures last September by education watchdog Ofsted, which noted that more than a quarter of the school's 900 pupils turned up late for registration or classes.
Headteacher Margaret Shelton said it is the latest initiative the school has launched to tackle poor pupil punctuality.
She said: "This is just one thing we are doing to improve punctuality. It is about making the children responsible for getting up and planning their travel to school."
Difficulties
Mrs Shelton added: "Many of the children have to come from the other side of Manchester, others have brothers and sisters that they have to drop off at their schools before they come here. Hopefully these clocks will help children facing those kind of difficulties to get up at the right time.
"The clocks have been paid for from a school fund for improving standards and I think anything that we can do to promote children taking responsibility for themselves should be pursued.
"We have rewards for children with good punctuality like vouchers to the cinema at Christmas or in the summer."
The initiative has been welcomed by parents. Lisa Hall, 37, from Langley Road South, said: "I think it is a good idea. My daughter is late sometimes."
Debbie Ranfield, 36, also from Langley Road South said: "My daughter is never late. We only live over the road, so there is no excuse, but if it will help those who are late, it is a good thing."
Should pupils be given alarm clocks? Have your say.
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Why should a school be responsible for ensuring pupils arrive at school on time? I find it incredible, though I am not surprised, that parents do not seem to care about their child's education, or are not prepared to buy their own child an alarm clock! It is up to the parents and these young people to see that they get themselves out of bed and to school at the appropriate time. As usual, the school is having to take the steps to ensure pupils are in on time. It seems these days that society is seen as responsible for the lives of these young people and parental input is minimal, if not non- existent! I understand the school's standpoint, that attendance figures, particularly now the school is under special measures is fundamental to future success, but come on you parents take some responsibilty for your offspring. It's all very well searching for excuses why children are late, but lets face it, if you are frequently late for work no-one is going to bail you out then. Isn't it about time we did these young people a favour and started to treat them as if they are living in the real world?
I totally agree with you Lizzy, I work in a secondary school in Manchester as a Mentor so part of my job is addressing the attendance of particular pupils. We have already given out alarm clocks to pupils but it only works for a small minority because as you say the example has to come from home. I have 2 boys myself, and not just because i work in a school, I try to impose on them how important it is to be on time wherever you're going. I'm not the most punctual person myself, depending on the traffic on particular mornings i can be a few minutes late for work but not that often.
This is just another example of parents putting even more responsibility on the schools for the social well being of their children. Whether its attendance, punctuality or just basic manners it seems to totally fall onto the schools shoulders. You must have read time and time again when a child makes some mistake or other the parents blame the school. Like the mother with the 3 girls who all fell pregnant, she blamed the school....It is down to parents to teach social skills, though as there are such a large number of children without any we offer it as part of the curriculum where i work, teaching things such as cleaning, washing clothes, making a meal. We even have a 'fake' baby which the girls are given to care for. It is a sign of the times but it won't deter 'good' parents like myself and i know many others who teach their children right from wrong. I don't know if anyone else agrees with me! Any comments welcome!