Children share why school is an ‘unmissable’ part of their lives

By Jill Dando News

Children have shared why they want to go through the school gates each day as a campaign highlighting the value of school is launched across the county. 

Friendships and fun were among the top reasons children shared for why they want to go to school, although many still value the learning and self-improvement they get through education too. 

They gave their opinions at an event at Pride Park, organised by the Inclusion Partnership which is a collaboration including Derby County Community Trust, Derby City Council, Primary Strategy Group and Derby Secondary Heads Group.  

The young people’s views led to the creation of the “Unmissable campaign”, a suite of animated videos, graphics and information which share why school ‘means more’ than just classes and learning for so many children and young people. 

Several of the dozens of students who contributed their ideas also lent their voices to the animations and are now sharing their own unmissable moments as the campaign is rolled out via schools in Derbyshire. 
 
Kaysha, 14, from Chellaston Academy School attended the day-long event at Pride Park and was then one of several children who recorded their voices to go along with animated videos. 

Keysha said that for her, school is about friendships. 
 
“I get to spend more time with my friends at school,” she said. “I don’t go out much outside of school so this is where I get to see them and have fun.” 

Joe, 14, from the school also took part and said the school’s reward systems made him not want to miss out on school. 

For good work and attitudes, students are treated to various awards, last year these included attending a fair on the school site and being taken to Alton Towers. For Joe, they were experiences he would not have had outside of school. 

“For me going to Alton Towers was the best thing, I wouldn’t have missed that.” 

 
For Ellis, 15, who also lent his voice to the campaign, rewards days and catching up with mates at break times make school worthwhile. And Lea, 15, also wants to get in to see friends. 

“Break and lunch with my friends is beneficial for me and my mental health.” 

She tells herself to go to school, even if she is feeling a little under the weather. 

“I tell myself that this is school and the easy time, and that there will be days in the future when I’m at college or working when I can’t take the day off because of a headache, so I need to have that attitude now.” 

The campaign is being launched in phases with ten different themes, including unmissable friendships, experiences, moments and teachers. 

Laura Hovarth, assistant headteacher at Chellaston Academy is working on the campaign. She said it had been great to hear students’ views and was surprised by how many listed learning as why they wanted to go to school. 

“There were a lot of young people who really value to education and opportunities they get to improve themselves at school but school is also a place for them to make and meet friends and have fun. What we did learn is just how important catch up support is for those who have needed time off due to illness and that’s something we’re feeding back to schools too.” 

At Bishop Lonsdale Church of England Primary School, pupils also shared their views, and their voices, with the campaign. 
 
Like at the Academy, children said they enjoyed rewards, such as a teddy bear they get to keep in their class if they’ve had good attendance.   

Adele, 10, said: “I like coming to school early and wanted to share that with other children, as the more time you are here, the more you can learn. I like having the bear in our class as it makes me feel proud. It is like a competition among the children. If you don’t come to school you won’t get to have any fun and see your friends.” 

Debola, 10, said: “I was excited to take part in this campaign as I wanted to help other children love school as much as I do and be more excited about coming. I get to play with my friends and learn so much, plus there are so many clubs and activities we get to do. I do netball and gymnastics, but there are so much more that I want to try, I wanted to share with others how much fun this can be. I really enjoyed showing how good my school is and how great it is to come here.” 

Jonny, 10, said his friends make coming to school fun. 

“It is important that everybody comes to school otherwise it wouldn’t be as much fun and we wouldn’t have anybody to talk to. I love coming to school so I can play with my friends and I love taking part in all the activities. The more you are at school, the more rewards you get.  

Tesleem, 10, said: “I liked taking part in the campaign because I am proud of my school and wanted to make everybody feel the same as me – happy to come to school as much as they can. I love seeing my friends and all the classes – especially English. All children should come to school as much as they can so they can get the best knowledge.” 

 
Lochlan, 10, said he wanted to take part in this campaign to encourage all pupils to come to school, so they can learn, get smarter and have fun with all the other pupils. 

“Last year, I got to make a robotic car in Design Technology, which I took home and made even better with my dad, I get to do fun stuff like that at school. Without school, you wouldn’t know anything and would be sad because you don’t get to see your friends,” he said. 

Harrison, 11, said: “I love coming to school so much, I get to see my friends and learn so much amazing stuff like English. I am going to be a lawyer when I grow up so I have to learn as much as I can.”  

Sarah Brownhall, Head of School, said: “This campaign was great as it showed children how important attendance is beyond just this school. It is important to encourage good attendance not just here in our own school but in the city and beyond, the children really enjoyed that.  

“Our attendance has gone up significantly in the past three years and persistence absence has declined, although we are still working on and keen to improve that.” 

Jo Wilkinson, Inclusion Partnership Manager, said the campaign is now being rolled out in stages across the city. 

“For us this is about sharing the message that school means so much more to children than just learning. We want to share those unmissable moments, and really change the conversation about going to school.”

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