Brownhills pupil has never missed a day of school

Brownhills youngster Charlotte Bleakley, aged 11, was congratulated by staff at Watling Street School for her achievement as the school broke up for the summer holidays.

She has completed eight-and-a-half years at the school, including her time in the nursery, without taking a single day's absence for either holiday or sickness.

Charlotte's father Keith, of Hednesford Road, said he and wife Lesley are very proud of their daughter's commitment.

"Charlotte puts school above almost everything else," said 49-year-old Mr Bleakley.

"Anything she plans at all has to be with the school taken into account. If ever we're planning to go on holiday and the flights are on a Friday, she'll tell us to find flights for another day.

"We're totally amazed by how well she's got through school."

Father-of-three Mr Bleakley said education was very important in their household, with Charlotte's eldest sister Sarah, 24, having just completed university and middle daughter Emma, 18, expected to get As and A*s in her A-level grades.

Charlotte, who wants to be a maths teacher in the future, says she decided in Year 2 that after achieving no absences she wanted to carry it through until she left the school.

She also said receiving a certificate and £15 worth of WHSmith vouchers for her achievement made her very happy.

"I liked getting a certificate and a prize," said the youngster, whose favourite subject is maths. I like doing school work and I think it's important to make sure you don't miss lessons."

Head Lesley Powell, said: "We're very proud of her. She's a lovely girl as well."