Attendance – every day helps greatness grow
At Cecil Gowing Infant and Nursery School, regular attendance helps children build friendships, feel settled and enjoy their learning. We work with families to help every child attend regularly and arrive on time.
Reporting an absence
Please call 01603 429564 before the start of the school day on the first day of your child’s absence, giving their name, class and the reason they are absent. Keep us updated if the absence continues.
If we have not heard from you, we will contact you to check that your child is safe. Absences without a satisfactory explanation may be recorded as unauthorised. Please keep your contact details and emergency telephone numbers up to date.
Illness and medical appointments
Children should stay at home when they are too unwell to attend. Mild coughs and colds do not usually require absence if your child is otherwise well and does not have a high temperature.
After vomiting or diarrhoea, children must remain at home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.
Please arrange medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible. When this is not possible, let the office know in advance and ensure your child attends school before or after the appointment where practical.
Arriving on time
Being on time helps children start the day calmly and take part in learning from the beginning. If you arrive late, please report to the school office.
Arrival before the register closes is recorded as late. Arrival after it closes is normally recorded as an unauthorised absence for that session, unless another appropriate absence code applies.
Leave during term time
Please plan holidays during school holidays. Leave of absence for exceptional circumstances must be requested in advance from the Headteacher. Each request is considered individually; a holiday or leisure trip does not normally qualify.
Absence for a day set aside for religious observance by the religious body to which your family belongs may be authorised. Please discuss this with us in advance.
Working together and offering support
If your child is finding attendance difficult, please speak to their class teacher, the Headteacher or SENCO as early as possible. We will listen and work with you to understand any barriers, including anxiety, health needs or special educational needs and disabilities, and agree appropriate support.
We monitor attendance and punctuality regularly and may work with Norfolk County Council where additional help is needed.
Unauthorised absence and penalty notices
Parents of children of compulsory school age who are registered at school are legally responsible for ensuring regular attendance.
Schools must consider whether a penalty notice is appropriate when a child has 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within 10 school weeks—usually equivalent to five school days. These absences do not have to be consecutive. Decisions take account of individual circumstances; a fine is not automatic.
In Norfolk, penalty notices are issued by the local authority:
- First notice: £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.
- Second notice for the same parent and child within three years: £160, payable within 28 days.
- Further offences within that three-year period: may lead to prosecution rather than another penalty notice.
Please talk to us early—we are here to help your child feel happy, supported and ready to learn.