THE story about parents who are prepared to pay a fine for taking their children on holiday (Echo, July 28) reminded me of an earlier incident.

An “old fashioned” head teacher told me of this man who accompanied his son to school and asked to see the head.

He asked if he could take the boy out of school the next day to go and watch England play. The head refused, and informed him that if the boy was not there he would be punished for playing truant when he returned.

Father replied: “You might as well punish him now then, because I am taking him.”

The boy then dutifully stuck his hand out and,as was the custom, was caned.

How things change – or don’t!

As a teacher of almost 40 years I have every sympathy with the Temples. Five days are not going to affect a well-motivated pupil. They will soon catch up.

This is another example of politicians making cosmetic changes, which they think look good, but bear little resemblance to the real world in which the rest of us live.

Bill Bartle, Barnard Castle.