AUTHORITIES are pretty tough on parents whose children are not in school when they should be – as our story on page five illustrates.

One mother was fined £250 for taking her child on holiday to Ibiza during term time – while another couple now have criminal convictions after their daughter cut class for up to six weeks in total.

Both sets of parents are understandably miffed at their severe punishments given the difficult situations they were under.

Criminal convictions and suspended prison sentences seem especially harsh given the parents’ limited control over a strong-willed teenager.

Only time will tell whether they – and their children – will one day thank the schools and courts for not turning a blind eye.