Many parents keep their children away from school in order to fit in with their holiday plans, or simply to take advantage of out-of-season bargain breaks.

But last week, the UK Education Secretary, David Blunkett, announced he will crack down on parents taking family holidays during term time.

However, it seems Mr Blunkett's boss was not paying attention.

The Prime Minister's children will be skipping school while on a winter break in the Seychelles.

His wife Cherie and children, Euan, Nicky and Kathryn, fly back to the UK on Tuesday.

Euan, 14, and Nicky, 13, will miss a day of lessons at the Oratory School in south London, while Kathryn, 10, will be absent from St Joan of Arc primary school, in north London for two days.

So is it a case of "Do as I say and not as I do"?

The General Secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, Nigel de Gruchy, said politicians should practise what they preach.

"This is a good example of why politicians should keep their mouths shut and not try to lecture other parents," he said.

The General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, David Hart thinks the prime minister is setting a bad example.

"It will not help head teachers who are trying to enforce a policy of persuading parents to be more responsible," he said.

However a Downing Street spokesman said: "Contrary to some press reports, Mrs Blair wrote some time ago to the headmaster explaining that the children would miss a day at school."

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