A successful scheme to reward 100% school attendance that began on the Isle of Wight last year is being snapped up in other areas across the country.

In 2008, Isle of Wight Council teamed up with Planet Ice to support the company’s initiative that gives students at middle and high schools free family ice skating tickets should they not miss a day at school during a complete term.

The scheme has been hailed a huge success on the Island with the latest figures showing a significant rise in the amount of students returning 100% attendance records when compared to the previous year.

Councils in Peterborough, Hemel Hempstead and Coventry are the first areas that are looking at introducing the scheme to their schools.

Isle of Wight Council is supporting the expansion of the scheme across the UK by arranging for officers, including Education Welfare Officers, to meet with their colleagues at the respective local authorities.

They share information including how the council involved Island schools and how the Communications Department help to secure local and national media coverage, and how the council and lead cabinet member went into schools to present certificates to students.

A local area representative from Planet Ice also takes part in the meetings.

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member with responsibility for children Dawn Cousins said

“It gives me great satisfaction that a scheme that was started only last year on the Isle of Wight is already being expanded across the country due to its success.

“The council is only too happy to support Planet Ice and other local authorities in setting up the scheme in other areas. The free ice skating initiative will continue to run on the Island for middle and high school students and I look forward to seeing even more areas take on the scheme over the coming months”

Lorna Cotton, Planet Ice Ryde Arena Manager said

“Planet Ice is delighted at how well the free skating scheme has been going on the Island, and it has now led to other areas looking at introducing similar initiatives.

“The company is very happy to continue providing free ice skating tickets to those with 100% attendances as it gives the students a small reward for their efforts at school.

“We are also grateful to Isle of Wight Council for their continuing support both on the Island and in other areas in the UK and it won’t be long before tens of thousands of children across the country will be able to access free skating as a result of this scheme’s success”

Earlier this month, Isle of Wight Council announced that more than 1500 middle and high school students will be receiving free skating tickets after attending school every day during the summer term.