A film made for the Department of Education City of Newcastle upon Tyne about the Raising Attendance Project, also known as RAP, an initiative to reduce school truancy in the city. The first part of the film speaks with boys and girls about why they don’t go to school and what they do with their time. Speaking with representatives from numerous agencies the film then looks at what is being done not only to stop or prevent school children from truanting, but also to help those who have falling...

A film made for the Department of Education City of Newcastle upon Tyne about the Raising Attendance Project, also known as RAP, an initiative to reduce school truancy in the city. The first part of the film speaks with boys and girls about why they don’t go to school and what they do with their time. Speaking with representatives from numerous agencies the film then looks at what is being done not only to stop or prevent school children from truanting, but also to help those who have falling behind in main-stream education. In the final part of the film a look at what city centre retailers can do to help reduce truancy levels and what benefits this will bring to their business. Title: RAP It In In a secondary school classrooms pupils during a French lesson and working with computers changes to the school yard with pupils drinking fizzy drinks and chat. In another class children filling out forms. A vox pop with several children and teenagers many of whom give reasons why they don’t like going to school, some because of the pressure of the work, others the amount of homework while another says it's because he doesn’t like specific teachers. Some of the children wonder around the estate they live on in small groups, they talk about being truant. In his office Nils Purser, Director of Education City of Newcastle Upon Tyne explains that there is a recognition of the problems and a commitment to get it right. June Shone, Co-ordinator for Raising Attendance Project or RAP arrives for work and walks up a set of steps. In her office she talks about the formation of the local authority Improving School Attendance project and development of a Truancy Watch Initiative. As Nils Purser explains that the project was picked up as an initiative other authorities could pursue a policeman walks along Grey Street in Newcastle and speaks with two women working in a shop. Around the centre of Newcastle school children including some using an escalator inside Monument Mall and looking around a record shop. Nils Purser talks about the involvement of shopkeepers in being aware that these pupils shouldn’t be there. Young people wondering around Northumberland Street, in voice over details are provided on the Raising Attendance Project. June Shone talks more about why young people don’t attend school which is often been linked to deeper social problems. Sandy Denny, Project Manger Mill Lane Motor Project explains that unemployment in the West End of the city goes back two or three generations and so many children don’t see the value of school in finding a job. Louise Blundell, Education Social Worker talks about those children who have attended four or five different schools over their educational life, many don’t attend as they don’t understand how to go do school. A group of boys from Walker who have been interviewed as part of the film climb over the frame of metal walkway, in voiceover they talk about what they do when they aren’t in school. Two of the girls featured also says what they do when they truant, go to a park and smoke is one girl's answer. Other children say they goes downtown with the film changes to crowds walking through Eldon Square shopping centre. June Shone explains that some children are afraid to stay around their home area and going into town is where they can become anonymous. As June speaks children and young people wondering through the crowds inside Eldon Square. Wendy Dawson, Training officer Newcastle upon Square YMCA, conducts a survey into truancy by speaking with a group of boys inside Eldon Square shopping centre. Outside in the square itself she talks about her findings. Outside Walker School pupils hang around before heading into school. Russ Wallace, Assistant Head at Walker School explains that attendance is the biggest factor in gaining GCSE results. In a class a teacher conducts registration using a computer system overseen by Dr Dave Woodcock, Deputy Head at Walker School. He sits at a computer looking though registration details that come up on his screen. At his desk he explains how the system works and what its value is to the school. A group of pupils explains how this system has helped prevent them from truanting. At another secondary school in Kenton, an award ceremony sponsored by a local business with certificates being handed out to pupils with high school attendance. At a junior or primary school children during their lesson, Anne Tate Principal Education Welfare Officer explains how they are targeting children from primary school as it is here where issues with truancy first begin. The children playing in the school yard changes to them working again in the classroom. One child opens a ‘Reading Passport’, an initiative that has been started to help raise literacy skills. In a classroom at the Bridge Project two secondary school pupils who have fallen behind because of truancy are given a music lesson. Maria Wilson, Teacher in Charge at the Bridge Project explains what additional helps this project gives to pupils by saying they are getting what is in the National Curriculum but delivered in a very different way. Working in conjunction with Newcastle College pupils from the Bridge Project attend a class in which boys and girls learn plumbing and brick-laying skills. John Booth, Construction Centre Manger at the college explains the enthusiasm some of the pupils have for such classes. Crowds of shoppers walking along Northumberland Street passing shops such as HMV Music and Geordie Jeans, more head into Eldon Square shopping centre. June Shone talks about a partnership project with local businesses in raising awareness of truancy not just with children, but also their parents. Inspector Dave Crosthwaite from Northumbria Police Newcastle upon Tyne explains why local traders should become involved in the scheme and the benefits they will gain through the reduction in juvenile crime. An older woman pushing a pushchair and a mother sitting on a bench inside Eldon Square are categorised by Inspector Crosthwaite and ‘vulnerable’ and will feel safer shopping because if this initiative. Young people hanging around Eldon Square and Our Price Music and a security guard walking past Top Shop. As more young people wonder around the centre of Newcastle Inspector Crosthwaite explains that shops shouldn’t automatically assume children are truanting. Two police officers walk through Eldon Square and Inspector Crosthwaite explaining how a traders should deal with a situation in a nonconfrontational way. Steve Barrigan, Walker YMCA Detached Youth Worker Project speaks with the group of young boys seen earlier in the film. He explains the importance of listening to the child and understanding from them why they aren’t in school. Inspector Crosthwaite warns against handling or getting a hold of somebody as this could be considered assault or leads to a physical confrontation. Inspector Crosthwaite continues to state that only a small number of the children cause trouble, it is more likely these children will become victims of crime and provides details of what to do should this happen. Three schoolgirls run up the escalators inside the Monument Mall. Steve Collins, Manager of Eldon Leisure, John Petty, Store Manager of Game Ltd, William Liddy, Restaurant Managers McDonald’s and Alan Lamont, Proprietor of LIFE 1991 each talks about the problems their businesses have experienced from truanting children and young people as well as having to deal with them. As they talk young people at each of the venues. Shoppers continue to pass shops such as the Body Shop inside Eldon Square. George McDonald, Eldon Square Centre Manager explains what city centre retailers will gain from being part of the RAP project. As she speaks a montage of various city centre shops including the Virgin Megastore and security guards walking around Eldon Square. Chris Metcalfe, Financial Manager Marks and Spencer, Newcastle reiterates some of George’s comments and also says that being part of community projects such as RAP is part of the company philosophy, as he talks shoppers at the Marks and Spencer checkouts. Title: Rap It In Title: Thanks to all the young people who took part and made this film possible. Title: Also thanks to Northumbria Police, Capital Shopping Centres PLC, Marks and Spencer PLC, McDonald’s, Game Ltd, Bainbridge, LIFE 1991 Designer Clothing, YMCA, Mill Lane Motor Activities Project, Walker School, Walbottle High School, Canning Street School, Montagu School, Redewood School (Now West Gate School), Newcastle College, Tyne & Wear Development Corporation, The Monument Mall Shopping Centre Credit: Camera Dave Cave, Martin Graham, Eric Woodward Sound Ross Neasham, Tony Cogger Graphic Design Taylor Lister Associates Music Hi Level Recording Videotape Editor John Kyle Dubbin Mixer Peter Groom Production Trainee David Addison Voice of Judi Lines Written, Produced and Directed by Nick Ward End title: Nick Ward Video & Film Production Tel. 091 265 4908. © Department of Education City of Newcastle upon Tyne