AN East Durham school that has drastically reduced truancy has won national recognition for its efforts.

Three years ago, Eden Hall Infant School in Peterlee had hundreds of unauthorised absences each year.

But now they are almost a thing of the past, and children want to come to school, even when they are ill.

Later this month, the school will receive an award of between £5,000 and £10,000 at a Government truancy busting event in London.

It is one of only 50 in the country to be honoured by the Department for Education and Employment.

To tackle truancy, the school, which has 80 nursery and 135 infant pupils, introduced 100 per cent attendance certificates, a breakfast club, made lessons more fun, and improved communication with parents.

The school contacts parents on the first day a child is absent to make sure the youngster is genuinely ill.

Education welfare officers visit the parents of children who skip school to discuss any problems the child may be having.

Headteacher Yvonne Ryle said: "We had quite a large number of unauthorised absences three years ago, but we have reduced that to almost zero.

"We have carried out a lot of initiatives and the children have been really involved.

"The 100 per cent attendance certificates have been a real success story and the pupils love receiving them.

"We have special assemblies and the parents are invited to attend.

"In fact, the certificates are so popular that children want to come to school even when they are poorly.

"We also put their photographs on the wall. We are also doing the scheme with the nursery children so they get into good habits from an early age."

She said: "Parents are very much involved. They have been kept well informed of everything we are trying to do and are very supportive.

"Regular communication ensures we know as soon as possible if a child's absence is legitimate.