A school has divided opinions over its 'pathetic' absence policy - which has riled one parent. Remember when you had an appointment and had to leave school early? You'd wait for the knock on the classroom door before being escorted to the gates like royalty - every kid green with envy at your early departure. If you were lucky and your appointment was towards the end of the day - you wouldn't even have to return to school.

However, when one mum nipped to the school office to warn staff she'd need to pick her two children up at 3.05 pm rather than 3.15 pm - so they could attend an optician appointment - she claims she was met with a rather 'petty' response.

'I love my flat but someone keeps camping out by my entrance – it's creepy' Taking to Mumsnet , the anonymous woman claims the receptionist asked for proof of the appointment, which she didn't have. She then says the school would mark the appointment as an 'unauthorised absence' for the whole afternoon - even though they'd only be missing the last 10 minutes of the school day. The parent alleges that she never received any proof of the appointment from the optician, adding that a confirmation email would have to come from 'customer service' and not directly in-branch.

"Am I being unreasonable to think that this is an extreme level of pettiness from my children's school over them missing 10 minutes at the end of the school day?" the post adds. "It's the end of term and I would bet good money that there won't be a full day .