Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine (aka Fiz Stape) gave a thumbs up to the top attenders at Lily Lane Junior School in Moston today, Friday 16 April.

Jennie joined pupils at a special assembly held to reward those who have achieved 100 per cent attendance or 100 per cent effort for their attendance during the last two half terms.

Pupils in schools across the city are currently being rewarded for their full attendance in school during the Spring Term with designer merit badges from Crayola and Ben Sherman.

The badges form part of The MOTIV 100% Challenge, a scheme that rewards pupils who get to school on time, every day, all term. Pupils receive exclusively designed badges at each half term if they do so, and if they complete a whole term with full attendance they receive a special reward tailored to their year group and their school.

The Challenge operates on two levels: 100 per cent attendance and 100 per cent effort for attendance. This dual approach celebrates the achievements of everyone, from hard-working, responsible pupils to those who make a significant effort to improve their attendance record.

Pupils at primary schools are being rewarded with Crayola packs, whilst secondary school aged pupils receive MOTIV reward cards containing Ten Pin Bowling and Hollywood Bowl Family tickets, free entrance to Laser-ace, Asylum Paintballing and FC United match day tickets as well as digital photos from Snapfish and music downloads from e-music and Unity Radio.

Additional family rewards can also be won by pupils and include family meals at Nando's, YO! Sushi and tickets to an exclusive family film screening at the ODEON Printworks.

Kieran McDermott, Assistant Director Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "Many pupils at schools across the city are now receiving their rewards for 100 per cent attendance during the last two half terms and we're very encouraged at the numbers who are doing so. Pupils who attend school every day they should, stand the best chance of success both in school and in their future careers."

Sixty per cent of pupils at Lily Lane Junior School achieved 100 per cent attendance during the last half term from February to Easter.

Sheila Keegan, Headteacher at the school said: "The effect of the MOTIV scheme on individual pupils is very positive - the children love collecting their badges. Children who previously had poor attendance have made superb efforts to get into school, and it has also had a big impact on children's punctuality at the start of the school day."

Today's lively assembly held for pupils and their parents, hosted by MOTIV, includes 'Tips Top Tips for Good Attendance' and a 'Painting Brighter Futures' colouring competition.

Jennie McAlpine, who is an ambassador for MOTIV, said: "A strong work ethic combined with a good education is a great gift for a parent to offer their child so it's wonderful to be part of a school and parent assembly that helps make the connection between coming to school and a child's future in such a colourful and dynamic way."

The MOTIV 100% Challenge is delivered by MOTIV on behalf of the Council. The Challenge is available to all schools in the city and is the brainchild of Manchester social entrepreneurs Rose Marley and Lee Stanley, Directors at MOTIV who have a successful track record in areas including Oldham and Nottingham.



Rose Marley said: "A child's future can be mapped out by their attendance record so it's important that we communicate in a way that is appealing. It's not just about reward though, through the school resources we provide, we demonstrate just what can be achieved through hard work, teaching pupils valuable skills and raising aspirations in the process."