Too cool for school – ATLP students chill out with ice rewards
11 July 2024
Sweet-toothed Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) students enjoyed a refreshing treat last week when schools dished out free ice-creams and lollies at break time.
Children at ATLP’s Slade, Osborne and Stockland Green schools in Erdington, Arthur Terry School in Sutton Coldfield, and Scotch Orchard Primary School (main image) in Lichfield, were delighted to visit the ice-cream van, courtesy of partners Zest Education.
Iced goodies were served up to 350 students in total, as part of Zest’s student Attendance Initiative.
As a specialist partner to education providers across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, Zest has been promoting positivity around student attendance in schools since 2014, and has increased its levels of support following the pandemic, having recognised the struggle schools are facing with persistent absence.
Their unique Attendance Initiative has seen every ATLP school provided with a prize pool to award to students they deem as having significantly improved their attendance in the spring and summer terms. All schools were also entered into a prize draw, with lucky winners receiving a visit from the Zest Education ice-cream van.
Mike Talbot, Director at Zest Education said:
“We love working with ATLP schools and it’s a joy to be able to sprinkle a little magic into break time. Our ice-cream van is extremely popular – and we’ve found that our Attendance Initiative can help to motivate children who may need a little boost. It’s lovely to see them enjoying the rewards of all their efforts.”
ATLP CEO Richard Gill CBE said:
“It’s lovely to see the pictures of the children scooping up their rewards – the smiles on their faces cannot be topped! We are proud of how committed our students and families are to school attendance, and we would like to thank Zest Education for their continued support.”
Schools’ feedback on social media has been equally sweet:
Stockland Green posted: “It was brilliant seeing students rewarded for attending with PRIDE. Thanks to Zest Education for funding the ice-cream.”
Scotch Orchard Primary School posted: “Thank you so much to Zest Education for providing 50 of our children with a free ice-cream today. Zest Education have gifted the ice-creams to the children with the most-improved attendance in school.”
Arthur Terry School posted: “Thanks to the generous support of Zest Education we’ve been able to bring a little extra joy to our students’ day! A special ice-cream van was on site today, serving up delicious treats to our hardworking students who show incredible resilience and dedication.”
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