Boston parents welcome Haven High Academy TV giveaway for attendance

Parents say they back a Lincolnshire school for offering children the chance to win a TV in return for perfect attendance.

Every two weeks, Haven High Academy, in Boston, will offer pupils with 100% attendance a chance to win a 40-inch smart TV.

One parent, Bryan Robson, said: “I think it’s a good thing. It gives the kids more incentive to come to school everyday and to learn.”

The BBC has contacted the school for a comment.

The school was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted following the last inspection in July 2024. Despite this, the academy ranked among the top three schools in Lincolnshire for improved attendance in 2024/25.

Parents who spoke with the BBC were overwhelmingly in favour of incentivising attendance.

Mohsin Mohammed, whose two children attend Haven High, said: “It’s worked because they are excited.”

Another parent, Edyta Zmit, said: “If you give children something, they will try harder.”

The academy cited research that shows that less than 90% attendance leads to all of a student’s GCSE subjects dropping by one grade.

Leandro, a pupil at Haven High, said he was “excited” but “shocked” by the initiative.

“It motivates people to get the 100% attendance for future references to get better jobs,” he said.

“But I do feel like since everyone’s actually going to try for the 100% attendance it’s going to be hard for me to win.”