Over 300 students from across a group of primary and secondary schools in the Kingston area gathered to celebrate achieving 100 per cent attendance.

321 pupils with perfect attendance were invited from Southborough High School, Tolworth Girls School, Chessington School, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Castle Hill Primary School, St Paul’s Primary School and Lovelace Primary School.

Every primary and secondary school student present had been invited along because they hadn’t missed a single day off school for an entire academic year.

Special guest for the evening was Kingston mayor Thay Thayalan, who delivered a special speech on the importance of excellent attendance, highlighting its direct link with attainment and academic success.

Organised by Head Teacher Sarah Hodgson of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School and hosted by Head Teacher Niall Smith at Southborough High School, the celebratory event proved to be a resounding success.

Mayor Thay Thayalan presented each student with a certificate to mark their extraordinary achievement and proud parents and carers were on hand to take photos of their children’s special moment of recognition.

Drinks and a buffet were served to all guests, courtesy of Southborough High School.

Head Teacher Niall Smith commented: “We were delighted with the success of the evening. As the famous saying goes ‘The world is run by people who show up’ and this was an evening for all eight schools to collectively work together in order to celebrate the marvellous attendance records of our students.”