A CAMPAIGN to help keep Keighley children safe is making a noticeable difference to the number of children who miss school.

The Children’s Year of Safety launched in the Braithwaite and Guardhouse area in September, supported by organisations including three locals schools, churches, children’s centres, Bradford Council and police. It focuses on ways parents can support their local school and keep their children safe.

Themes for the past term have included “Come to School Every Day and On Time” and “After Eight is Way too Late,” stressing the importance of attendance and getting sleep so children can get up on time and be alert.

The campaign has been led by three schools in the area – Merlin Top Academy, Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School and Laycock Primary School. A message from the schools about keeping up attendance went to parents and children through their newsletters, websites and assemblies , and on a banner displayed outside each school.

A range of activities have encouraged families to get primary aged children to bed by 8pm for a good night’s sleep so they can have a better day at school. Schools have been undertaking activities to get children thinking about when is a good time to go to bed, and the benefits of sleep.

Schools say attendance has improved since it started.

Lesley Heathcote, headteacher at Merlin Top Academy, said: “Children and families have really embraced the theme of Come to School Every Day and On Time. We’ve seen a dramatic improvement in attendance which has gone up from 95.15 per cent to 96.88 per cent while persistent absence has fallen from 17.87 per cent to 9.35 per cent.”

Councillor Adrian Farley (pictured) said: “The campaign is a great way of engaging families and children in doing simple things that will make a big difference to children’s safety and to how well they do at school.

"We’re delighted that the campaign is making a real difference to school attendance.”