To make matters worse, another six of the city's high schools also bag spots in the hall of shame.

Education boss Chris Edwards insists Leeds's truancy problem is no worse than any other city its size.

Those two top placings in particular seem to suggest otherwise – yet it would be wrong to lay the blame squarely on the schools or education authority.

Teachers can make a difference, but it is parents who are far and away the most influential figures in children's lives.

Youngsters' behaviour and their attitude to things like school stem directly from their mum and dad.

The sad reality is that scores of parents could not care less if their children go to school or not.

The result is a cycle of under-achievement and wasted potential that often spans several generations.

Fines and the threat of jail have helped bump up attendance rates – but there are many families with whom this approach draws a blank.

Some way must be found to convince them that education can offer a golden ticket to a brighter future.

Letting youngsters pass up that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is nothing short of child cruelty.



Posting intent



ANOTHER of our post offices looks set for the scrapheap – this time because bosses cannot find someone to take it on.

The cost of running the branch in Armley makes it a less than attractive proposition to would-be franchisees.

The truth is that the post office network no longer deliver the income it once did.

The popularity of the internet means more and more of us are now doing things online that we once did down at the local branch.

Yet parent company Royal Mail still racks up enormous annual profits running into hundreds of millions of pounds.

There may eventually come a time when post offices are no longer needed.

But until that day arrives, Royal Mail has a public duty to do whatever it takes to ensure they stay open.

Agreeing to meet sub-postmasters halfway on heating and lighting costs would be a start.



Growing idea



OFFICE workers in Leeds can take a break from their desks to tend their own allotments.

Staff at architects Bauman Lyons are digging the idea of doing a spot of weeding at their base in Chapeltown.

Now that's what we call cultivating a successful career.