STUDENTS are being encouraged to play truant from school by political groups, warns a deputy headteacher.

The International Socialist Resistance group was canvassing outside Walthamstow School for Girls, asking pupils to take part in Tuesday's protest against top-up fees in Westminster, claims deputy head John McCormack.

Girls who attend the Church Hill school have also been asked to give out their home and mobile numbers to members of the political group.

Mr McCormack says he is deeply concerned that girls are releasing their contact details to strangers in the street.

He also stressed that the school will not authorise the absence of students to attend protests.

Mr McCormack said: "These people are encouraging our pupils not to go to school, and to do something that is not in their interests or safe."

One political group even set up a stall outside the school, and asked students to sign petitions and attend rallies.

The problem came to light when parents contacted Mr McCormack to say their daughters had been telephoned at weekends by political groups.

At the height of the war in Iraq many schoolchildren skipped school to join Stop the War marches across London.

The International Socialist Resistance group has a postal address in Leytonstone but no contact phone number.

The group was not available for comment when contacted by the Guardian.

A spokesman for EduAction, which runs services for schools in Waltham Forest, said: "No organisation, whatever its motivation, should actively seek to encourage pupils to play truant and miss valuable school time.

"This clearly cannot be regarded as a responsible way to act."