CHILDREN at a Swindon primary school were given an incentive not to miss lessons.

Oaktree Primary School, in Priory Road, Park South, entered pupils with the best attendance record into a draw for a bike.

Five-year-old Jacob Beattie won the red Raleigh cycle on Friday.

Jacob, of Park South, said: “I am really glad I went to school now. I love the bike.”

His mother Sarah Morton, 39, said: “It is quite an enticement to keep them at school. The school is absolutely fantastic to do this for the kids. I certainly would not want my kids going anywhere else. The children seem to have a lot of respect for the teachers.”

Jacob was presented with his bicycle during assembly. He had chosen the bicycle the previous day in Mitchell Cycles in Shrivenham Road.

“Jacob loves the bike,” said Ms Morton. “He is going around thinking he is Michael Schumacher.

“He has been grinning like a Cheshire cat but his eyes are slightly glazed as if he is thinking; ‘Is this really happening to me’?

“He only missed a couple of days off school — he is one of those children who would not let a cough stop them going.”

At the beginning of the school year, the school announced the Oaktree Attendance Prize draw for children who had the best attendance records.

Pupil’s names were placed on Oak leaves on a tree mural on a wall in the school. During each term those who had never missed a day were awarded gold leaves, those who were at school for 98 per cent of the year received silver leaves. Bronze leaves were awarded to those who attended for 95 per cent of the year.

At the end of the year, children with gold, silver and bronze leaves were entered into a prize draw.

Acting deputy headteacher Nicola Gilbert said: “The children are really enthusiastic about the scheme. Since its introduction the number of children achieving the awards has risen.”