IN our modern world, young people and parents are often criticised for missing days from school because of unexpected holidays, truancy or lack of discipline.

IN our modern world, young people and parents are often criticised for missing days from school because of unexpected holidays, truancy or lack of discipline.

However, this year Hethersett High School and Science College is celebrating the perfect four-year attendance record of one of its pupils.

Mia Living is now a year 11 student studying for 12 GCSEs.

She started Hethersett High, which has 750 students primarily from the catchment area of Hethersett, Mulbarton and Cringleford, in September 2004 and since then has attended school every day without fail.

She hasn't taken a single day off through illness, unexpected holidays or unexplained absences.

To mark her 729 days attendance up to and including the year 11 last day celebration, Mia was presented with a reward from the school as part of its approach to recognising examples of excellent behaviour.

The reward, supported by Park Farm Hotel in Hethersett, is Sunday lunch for four in the hotel's restaurant.

Hotel manager Richard Bond said: “Park Farm is a local employer and we know how important it is that young people start their working career with an excellent education and that attendance in school is a key part of achieving that.”

Headteacher Rosemary Allen said: “Mia has been a real example to all of us about the commitment that can be applied to learning. I wish her every success in her GCSEs and for the future.”

Mia is part of the Year 11 group from Hethersett currently sitting their GCSE exams. The results of those examinations will be published on August 21.