Northampton Magistrates' court sentenced the woman on Monday for allowing her daughter, 13, and two sons, 12 and eight, to skip classes.

She admitted knowing her children were missing school and failing to encourage their attendance.

Northampton County Council took action after each child missed between 21 and 38 school days.

The 12-year-old boy had missed 38 school days out of 62, the eight-year-old 28 out of 62 and the girl, 21 out of 96.

In 2002 a hearing into the children's attendance was adjourned when the boys' attendances improved.

It is clear she had no interest in helping her children get the education every young person deserves and she has paid a very high price Councillor Olwen Loud

When her children's school attendance fell off again in September 2003 the mother, from Northampton, faced an 'aggravated charge'.

After the sentencing education bosses warned they would not tolerate parents allowing their children to stay away from school.

The cabinet member for schools, Olwen Loud, said: "In this case the mother involved knew full well her children were not attending school, indeed she had already been in court for the same reason.

"She ignored all efforts to try and help get her children back into school.

"It is clear she had no interest in helping her children get the education every young person deserves and she has paid a very high price.

"We believe education is an absolutely vital part of a child's upbringing and it is clearly part of a parent's responsibility to ensure they attend school to get this valuable start in life.

"Such action is only taken against parents who know full well their child is not attending school."

It was the third time a parent has been jailed in Northamptonshire for allowing their children to skip school.

The council prosecuted 158 parents in the 2001/2002 academic year and 157 last year.