YOUNG William Saunders loves school so much he has not missed a day in seven years.

While most other children will have been kept off school for the occasional cold or bug, the 11-year-old leaves Moredon Primary School this week having achieved a 100 per cent attendance record since the day he first joined the reception class.

It was an amazing feat that will be recognised by teachers and his classmates at their end of year assembly on Friday.

Head teacher Claire Leach said: “This is highly unusual and a massive achievement. William is a hardworking and conscientious boy who is very well liked in school.”

She added: “He must also have a very strong immune system to have never caught the usual coughs and colds that circulate around school every year.”

William’s teacher proud Leah Smith told the Advertiser: “I don’t think we’ve ever had a child that has had 100 per cent for so many years. The whole time he has been at primary school he has not missed a day.

“He is always in school on time and he is always working really hard.”

As well as keeping up with his schoolwork the year six pupil also manages to do gymnastics training five nights a week – four of them school nights. And sometimes he has to travel long distances to take part in competitions.

She said even when he had been doing gym classes the night before and might be feeling a bit tired, he was bright and cheerful and eager to work the following day.

She had no doubt that his high attendance had helped him make fantastic progress during the year. He was also well- liked by the other children. “He is really good motivation for them to get into school.”

“He is a particularly healthy child,” she said. Although there were days when he didn’t feel at his best, he didn’t let it get in the way of going to lessons.

Asked how he had managed not to miss a single day of school when others had time off sick, the modest youngster said: “I’m not sure actually.”

He said: “I kind of like school because of my friends.”

The youngster, whose favourite subjects are maths and science, said he would miss his friends when he moves up to secondary school in September.