PARENTS are demanding action after a four-year-old boy went missing from a Golders Green school next to a major road for 15 minutes.

The child managed to slip away from his class at Wessex Gardens Primary School just after 11.30am on Wednesday, December 1, wandering through the front gates and onto the street.

Staff discovered the youngster was missing and started a search of the school premises, alerting the police.

He was found by a member of the public who also called police who were able to identify him as the child missing from the school in Wessex Gardens, which adjoins the A41 Hendon Way.

Horrified parents have reacted angrily to the lapse, demanding the school tightens up security.

One, who asked not to be named, said: “It's disgraceful this child could just be left to wonder off like this. It's so lucky he was found by someone decent and didn't wonder out into the road.

“They have these gates and security measures so why weren't they working properly. It raises questions about how well they are looking after our children.

“When parents leave their kids at school they expect them to be looked after. It seems like the school doesn't have enough staff to properly manage classes.”

However, a spokesman for the school said the child got through the security gates, as they were closing as they have a delay to allow for disabled access.

Head teacher Dawbarn said: “There was an incident when an unaccompanied four year old pupil left the school premises.

“Teaching staff immediately spotted the pupil as missing and the school premises were thoroughly searched before the police were called.

“At the same time a member of public rang the police to say a four year old child had been found safe and well outside the school.

“The safety of all our children is paramount and we are taking the incident very seriously.

“We are undertaking a thorough review of our security and have written to parents explaining what happened and urging them to help by ensuring the school gates are kept closed at all times.”