Parents and carers are asked to telephone the school before the start of the school day to inform us of the absence of their child. It is particularly important to do this so that we are in a position to investigate any unexplained absences, which may indicate some mishap to a child on the way to school.

Please note that children arriving at school after 9:20am are classed as having an unauthorised absence, with the exception of those children who arrive late due to medical appointments. Please make every effort to ensure that your child arrives to school on time by 8:45am each day. Arriving late means that children miss the important start to lessons when the work is explained. 

 

Attendance figures for the week ending: 27th March 2026

Hedgehogs	97%
Butterflies	99%
Woodpeckers	96%
Squirrels	91%

Government and school targets are for all children to achieve at least 96% attendance. 

Not sure whether your child is well enough to come to school?

At Heather Avenue Infant School we operate an ‘if in doubt’ policy. If you are in two minds whether your child is well enough to be in school, send them in and we will call you to come and collect them if needed.

Holiday in term time

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we cannot as a school, authorise holidays in term time. If you are planning a holiday in term time please fill in a ‘Leave of Absence from School’ form to request permission. Our attendance team and Executive head teacher will then discuss the request and write to you with their decision.

Please remember that unless there are EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES it is very unlikely that we can authorise the absence from school during term time.

If the request for absence during term time has been declined and you still decide to take your child out of school then you may receive a fixed penalty notice from Norfolk County Council.

Thank you for working with us to promote excellent attendance and positive learning and well-being outcomes.

Useful Links

Pupil Request for Leave of Absence

NCC Letter - Attendance at School and Legal Intervention 2025

Information regarding penalty charges resulting from absence from school