Community involvement from Irwin Mitchell

Sheffield school children have struck it lucky at the bowling alley last week thanks to their outstanding attendance rates.

As a reward for having over 95 per cent attendance records in the autumn academic term, 77 children from St John's Church of England Primary School, Manor Oaks Road, enjoyed a special day at Hollywood Bowl in Broughton Lane, followed by a trip to the nearby entertainment centre to watch the film Chronicles of Narnia, based on the writings of C.S.Lewis.

David Urpeth, a personal injury partner with national law firm Irwin Mitchell, which funded the special day out, took the children ten pin bowling.

Mr Urpeth, based at the firm's Riverside offices in Sheffield, said: "As a business based in the city, we think it's important for us to invest in the local community. We've been working with the school a while now and sponsoring their attendance initiative has proved a great way of encouraging kids to stay motivated in an inner city school.

"We hope the pupils had a great day out as reward for all their hard work last term."

Huw Thomas, headteacher at the school, said: "The attendance incentive scheme was introduced at the school three years ago and Irwin Mitchell kindly donated mountain bikes last year for two winning children with 100 per cent attendance for the entire academic year.

"The scheme has been a great success with pupils and we were delighted when Irwin Mitchell agreed to sponsor the programme in the 2005-06 academic year."