HOW I wish police and social workers had 'swooped' on my daughter as she wandered aimlessly through town window-shopping.

They perhaps would not have believed her when she told them she was not allowed in school, oh and no she hadn't been excluded nor suspended, the headmaster just told her not to come anywhere near, he even threatened to call the police when she went to visit her schoolfriends at dinner time.

However, she is now 16 and no longer their problem, they've managed to get away with not providing her with an education for two years!

Despite writing to the Director of Education, despite contacting the Education Social Worker and Social Services, despite trying to get help by trying to get her statemented -- she still received NO education for two years.

Yes, I agree truancy should be addressed, yes I agree parents should do their utmost to make the child attend school, but what about the headteachers who contribute to ruining someone's life by NOT providing the education that a child is BY LAW entitled to?

Ms Y E Naylor

(Address supplied)