TESTIMONIALS
“Worthington Primary School has worked with Paula Rene since 2015, as our Educational Welfare Officer (EWO). She has been an invaluable asset to our school community. Her unwavering commitment to enhancing pupil attendance and well-being has significantly impacted our school environment.
Paula has effectively collaborated with families, providing support and guidance that has fostered positive relationships and improved attendance rates. Her proactive approach to addressing barriers to education, particularly for our vulnerable pupils, has ensured that every child feels valued and supported.
We are truly grateful for her ongoing support and look forward to continuing this partnership for the benefit of our pupils and the wider community.”
Worthington Primary School
“We have been working with Paula for many years now. She is always available for advice and has been really supportive with some of our more challenging attendance cases, working alongside our school and other agencies to identify underlying causes and improve the attendance and wellbeing of our pupils.
CAWS have become an indispensable multi-agency partner to our school. Paula’s expertise, efficiency, and professionalism are second to none, making her a trusted source for all attendance-related matters.”
Hall Orchard Primary School
“Paula provides expert support and advice, always prioritising the wellbeing of the children. Her extensive knowledge of the law and DfE documentation regarding attendance is remarkable, and she handles family interactions with great compassion. Paula is an invaluable asset to our Senior Attendance Champion, offering additional expertise whenever necessary.
Beyond scheduled meetings, Paula is always available to return calls, provide advice, and helpfully address any issues that arise. Lesley is equally efficient, ensuring that all administrative tasks, such as sending copies of letters to families are promptly handled.
We wholeheartedly recommend CAWS to any school in need of an Education Welfare Officer. Their service is impeccable.”
Kibworth Primary School
“Paula’s no-nonsense approach to attendance management has yielded remarkable results at our school. She has the unique ability to address attendance issues directly while maintaining compassion and understanding for the families she works with. Her clear expectations and consistent follow-through have created a culture where attendance is valued and prioritised.
Paula demonstrates an incredible ability to build rapport, even in challenging circumstances. She takes the time to understand the underlying issues affecting attendance and works collaboratively with families to develop practical, sustainable solutions. Her approach is firm yet supportive, ensuring that families feel guided rather than criticised.
Paula’s dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for the welfare of pupils makes her an invaluable asset to any educational setting. I would recommend her services without hesitation to any school or organisation seeking to improve attendance.”
Blaby Stokes Primary School
“Paula has worked as our EWO for eight years, and in that time, her proactive, compassionate, and highly effective approach has made a significant difference. Paula’s support has been instrumental in reducing persistent absence and improving our overall attendance, both of which are now real strengths in our school.
Paula has always willing to take on challenging issues with professionalism and care, and her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with families and staff alike is exceptional. Her commitment to the wellbeing and success of our pupils is clear in everything you do.
I would recommend Paula’s service without hesitation. It’s been a privilege to work alongside her.”
Market Harborough CE Primary School
“Paula’s work has had a significant impact on our absence practice and attendance figures. She has significantly increased our home visit capacity and has provided valuable support to some of our families. She is professional and reliable and provides us with valuable advice and experience.”
English Martyrs’ Catholic School
“Paula has been a tremendous support to Long Whatton School. Her dedication, professionalism, and proactive approach have significantly improved our attendance. She builds strong relationships with families and always goes the extra mile. We truly value her expertise and the positive impact she has on our school community.”
Long Whatton Primary School
“We are truly grateful for her ongoing support and look forward to continuing this partnership for the benefit of our pupils and the wider community.
Paula gives clear and detailed advice and support. This enables us to support families in making sure their children access their education and they understand the expectations relating to this in a sympathetic and supportive manner.
When the need arises, Paula assists the school in legal procedures and supports more assertive approaches.”
Asfordby Captains Close Primary School
“Paula has always been accessible to the school and contact with her has been easy and efficient.
Paula is incredibly knowledgeable about all matters regarding attendance; she shares the messages clearly with staff and parents.
Paula is not afraid of having the ‘difficult conversations’ that schools often shy away from in fear of damaging the sometimes fragile relationships that they have with some families.
Paula is not fazed by the verbal aggression that some parents have when challenged about their child’s attendance or punctuality; she has, to quote, ‘heard it all before’; she makes it clear to parents the position of the school in law and their duties as an educational establishment.
Paula is personable and friendly and has a self-preserving sense of humour that is needed in the field of work in which she is employed; this is partnered by great professionalism and a healthy and passionate work ethic.”
Mountfields Lodge Primary School
“I have been using CAWS for two years and the very professional service has provided excellent advice and support during this time.
The service has been invaluable in dealing with challenging attendance and welfare issues in school and in reducing my paperwork and stress levels!
I can strongly recommend the service provided by CAWS.”
Burton on the Wolds Primary School
“The Educational Welfare Service has been an invaluable support to our school especially for families in receipt of the Pupil Premium Grant. As our secondary school also uses the same EWO team we can target families together for lateness and attendance. We have been able to tackle situations early before they escalate.
The service has also helped with parental requests for time out of school in term time. Holidays taken in school time have been reduced and official letters from the service have let parents know where the school stands on this.
In another case, where parents wished to access part-time flexi-schooling, which was not agreed to by the school, the service helped us deal with legal issues and including interpreting the intentions of the DFE. This meant that the head teacher was not spending hours dealing with the issue but could take advice from the EWO team.”
Hemington Primary School
“When faced with an ongoing attendance issue I needed someone to work with our school and our families to support regular school attendance.
I approached CAWS and only wish I had done so sooner.
Paula René was an invaluable source of help both in school and by visiting family homes.
She immediately set out to build good working relationships with our staff and most importantly with our parents.
Our issue was complex and Paula provided a calm but firm approach drawing on her wealth of essential knowledge which was a huge support.
This problem is now resolved but CAWS continues to help us to quickly identify any attendance problems and possible solutions.
Paula is there to explain to parents their legal responsibility and to take action through the court if necessary. Her input enables parents to maintain a good relationship with the school.
She can meet families at school and also provides home visits. Her role includes things like helping parents to register for free school meals and referring to other agencies and professionals where appropriate.
CAWS supports us to ensure that our children make the most of their school years and to provide essential communication between home and school at a time that can be stressful for families.”
St Paul’s CofE Primary
