THREE Blackburn schools have been ranked among the best in the country for attendance.

The Olive School, Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School (TIGHS), and Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS), which are all academy schools, featured in the top 1% of England’s schools with the lowest pupils absence rates.

Data released last week by the Department for Education showed that for the academic year 2017/18, TIGHS, on Preston New Road, was ranked fifth in the secondary league table with an absence rate of 2.1%.

And TIBHS, on Shadsworth Road, ranked in ninth place with an absence rate of 2.5%.

Speaking of the fantastic attendance records, principal of TIGHS, Lukman Ahmed, said: “I am incredibly proud that our pupils have the fifth lowest absence rate in the country.

“The well-being of our pupils is paramount to us. Our team of staff is committed to creating a school environment where pupils want to be and where they enjoy learning.

“Well done to our pupils, parents and staff for achieving such outstanding levels of attendance.”

The Olive School, on Meins Road, also featured in the top 1% of England’s primary schools with the lowest pupil absence rates, with the school being ranked eighth, with an absence rate of 2%, which is well below the national average of 4.7%.

Susannah Berry, principal for The Olive School, Blackburn, said: “We try to instil a sense of responsibility and discipline in all our children and that includes the basic need to come to school every day so they can learn. Well done pupils.”

Principal of TIBHS, Majid Ditta, said: “Well done to our pupils who have come into school keen to learn and develop. Every day spent in school counts towards our pupils realising their academic potential.”

The schools are part of Star Academies, one of the country’s leading multi-academy trusts.

In total, seven of Star Academies’ schools have been named in the top 40 secondary schools in England with the lowest pupil absence rates, including two schools in Manchester, one in Bolton, one in Preston and one in Birmingham.

Chief Executive of Star Academies, Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, said: “Our teaching staff work hard to plan and deliver engaging sessions for our pupils to inspire them to want to be in school each day. We are also fortunate to have the support of our parents and carers who encourage and ensure their children turn up on time every day, ready to learn.”