A SCHOOL in one of Colchester’s most deprived areas has overcome social pressures to record its highest ever attendance.

Willow Brook Primary, based in St. Anne's estate, is celebrating the biggest class numbers for a first half term.

It is the fifth consecutive year that pupil numbers for this period have grown - reaching 96 per cent attendance.

Traditionally, the school has struggled with persistent absentees and other socio-economic problems.

Forty-four per cent of its pupils are eligible for free school meals and there is a high proportion of young carers and pupils with special educational needs.

The school population is oversubscribed.

But work with educational groups, such as educational enterprise Attendance Solutions, has helped encourage children back into class.

For full story see Wednesday's Gazette