Officers from the council’s Education Resources worked closely with a group of pupils at Neilsland Primary School who were considered likely to benefit from a different approach to learning.

Using digital tools, most notably class VR headsets, their learning was built around their chosen subject of ‘What Makes Scotland Beautiful’ to include everything from Highland dancing to exploration of the Scots language.

The headsets even enabled the P4 pupils to explore distant places, landscapes, and events. The software and new technology also allowed them to create their own animated avatars as Scottish characters.

Results from the project were ‘hugely encouraging’ with almost all the pupils increasing their attendance on a regular basis. 

Classes were delivered over four consecutive weeks, with two sessions per week, each lasting 90 minutes. Sessions were scheduled on different days and at varying times to ensure that all had an equal opportunity to take part.

Kayleigh Crawford, Nurture Development Officer, said the sessions acted as a ‘direct motivating factor for attendance’, with all pupils reporting that the sessions made them ‘want to come to school’.

She added: “Our team was keen to make sure that pupil voice was at the centre of planning and delivery, and this was an approach that paid off, not just in terms of attendance figures, but in the response from the children involved.

"For example, pupils told us they felt ‘more excited about learning’, explaining that key factors in this were getting to choose their own learning, the chance to use VR technology, and learning with friends while having fun.

“The class teacher also told us that children had become ‘noticeably more settled and ready to engage with learning."

Following the end of targeted sessions, the pupils in the group are now involved in a trial of digital-based learning first thing on a Friday morning to explore the impact on latecoming and end-of-week attendance.

Neilsland PS Head Teacher, Pamela Kelly, added: “The aim was to support and improve pupil attendance, and this was achieved by bringing learning to life. Our pupils became totally engaged not just in ‘What makes Scotland Wonderful', but in the chance to use VR headsets to explore their curriculum in a completely new way. 

“This innovative, technology-driven approach not only captured their imaginations but resulted in a significant, measurable improvement in attendance.

“Crucially, it was underpinned by equity principles, with a clear focus on supporting learners facing barriers to engagement and attainment, including those living in areas of higher deprivation.”

The programme is one of several similar interventions in schools across South Lanarkshire, running alongside the #EverySchoolDayMatters campaign.