By Kevin Shoesmith

Copyright bbc

Dr Deiros Collado fears such reward strategies – based on extrinsic as opposed to intrinsic motivation – will encourage children to “push through” when they should be resting.

“We should be preparing our young people for life,” she said. “Sometimes, we all need rest – both physical and mental. That’s the right thing to do. But these kinds of reward systems effectively punish children for being unwell.”

Defending the giveaway, Mr Sheppard said there was a “significant link” between attendance and outcomes, as noted by the Department for Education in a report published in March.

The report is unequivocal, stating “attendance is associated with higher average academic performance in an assessment year across all pupils from all backgrounds”.

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.

Mr Sheppard said the prize giveaway formed “part of a comprehensive attendance strategy that includes many elements of accountability and other rewards”.

Dr Deiros Collado said: “I understand that schools want to raise attendance. So many schools are being pushed to increase attendance. But I think the focus should be on creating a fully inclusive learning environment rather than on extrinsic rewards.

“The motivation for going to school should be about feeling a sense of belonging and being valued.”