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Staffordshire students star in new school attendance campaign

A new campaign to help secondary school students thrive, by boosting school attendance and sparking open and honest conversations about mental health, has launched.

By contributor Staffordshire County Council
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The new ‘I’m Here’ campaign is being delivered by Staffordshire County Council and features Staffordshire students in two short promotional videos to highlight the importance of good school attendance.

The campaign includes resources, lesson plans and activity toolkits for schools to help raise awareness of the subject and make it part of everyday learning.

The I'm Here campaign webpage has information on mental health support available, along with the two videos. It includes practical guidance for students, teachers and parents, as well as tips on starting conversations, recognising signs of anxiety and finding the right help to support young people.

Students who starred in the campaign videos from Stafford Manor High School, Erasmus Darwin Academy, Sir Graham Balfour High School, Landau Forte Academy, Biddulph High School and King Edward VI High School.
Students who starred in the campaign videos from Stafford Manor High School, Erasmus Darwin Academy, Sir Graham Balfour High School, Landau Forte Academy, Biddulph High School and King Edward VI High School.

Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Improving school attendance is one of our top priorities and it’s great that local students have taken centre stage for our campaign.

“We know that being in school not only helps children succeed academically but also supports their wider wellbeing and future opportunities.

“What makes this campaign powerful is that it’s been shaped by students themselves. It’s their voices and their experiences that are at the heart of it. Their invaluable input will not only help shine a light on the importance of school attendance, but also on something just as vital: talking openly about mental health and supporting one another.”

School attendance has been falling across the UK, with Staffordshire seeing a 2.3% drop compared to previous years.

The 'I'm Here' campaign builds on the success of the earlier primary school attendance campaign ‘Little Heroes’, both of which hope to bring schools, pupils and families together to help tackle the issue and improve school attendance. 

Filming of the videos took place at Stafford Manor High School, which later hosted a special premiere event last autumn. Students and their families were invited to be the very first to watch the films on the big screen.