Jenny Graham contacted the Newtownabbey Times on Tuesday this week to complain that P4 pupil Katie-Lee McCusker had left Ballyclare Primary School grounds during break-time that morning and walked to her grandparents' home at Grange Walk.
Ms. Graham said that until she telephoned the school around 20 minutes later to report the incident, there was no indication that her seven-year-old daughter's absence had been noticed.
According to Katie-Lee's mum, there had been a similar incident during the previous school year, when the child was a P3 pupil.
"That time, she disappeared after asking to go to the toilet. She just didn't go back to class and walked out of the school. She crossed two busy roads to get to my own house at Bellevue Place - and she was only six at the time.
"I reckon she must have been out of school for about 45 minutes. I had to ring up to tell them that she was missing from school and that she had come home," she said.
Ms. Graham admitted that her daughter, who suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is inclined to wander off on her own. She added that the child had experienced difficulties settling at Ballyclare Primary and at times was so tearful that it was a struggle getting her to school in the mornings.
"My main worry is what could have happened when she walked out of school," said Ms. Graham.
"On both occasions she crossed very busy roads - and she has absolutely no sense of road safety.
"Also, she is a very friendly little girl and it is frightening to think that she could have been taken away by anyone."
In response to Ms. Graham's claims, the school has issued the following statement:-
"Following the first instance last year of this child leaving the school grounds without permission, measures were put in place by the school to ensure she was always in the company of either a teacher or other pupil. The mother was happy with these measures and in the 11 months the parent has never contacted school to either question or express concern about the appropriateness or adequacy of these measures.
"The child has been moved from a mobile outside to a classroom within the main building, and in the playground the pupils are supervised by more than the usual level of trained staff.
"On this occasion she was out at break time with the P1-4 children in the playground and she slipped out through the only gate, in the playground, which is unlocked - the pedestrian entrance for parents. Immediate contact was made between the school and the parent.
"Her mother returned her to school immediately and it was agreed that, in the interim, the child would have to remain in the school building, which is locked, in order to ensure that she could not leave the premises unaccompanied.
"Following this incident the mother again apportioned responsibility to the child. The mother confirmed her belief in the safety and care of the school by returning her child immediately after the incidents and requesting no opportunity to discuss any additional measures necessary. On both occasions the school has taken the duty of care for this child and her ADHD very seriously and will continue to do so.
"These are the only two incidents of this kind to have occurred at the school and both have involved the same pupil. A school's grounds are not a prison, so it is always possible for someone who is determined enough to evade detection and sneak out. The dangers associated with doing so have been explained repeatedly to this child by both her teachers and her mother. Hopefully, this message can be reinforced so that there is no reoccurrence of what has been a distressing experience for all concerned.
"The school principal and staff have undertaken significant work in support of this child and her parent to help to overcome her educational difficulties and have shown a high degree of commitment in trying to resolve those difficulties."