The school helped the girl after she asked to keep it secret.

The private school claim the so-called Gillick Judgement and data-protection laws gave them the power to grant her confidentiality from her parents.

The girl pleaded guilty to theft after being caught travelling with a photocopied travel pass, but her parents were unaware of the conviction until a bailiffs letter was received.

The mother said, "Our daughter went to court without a solicitor to plead her case and she now has a criminal record which she will have to declare for five years and for the rest of her life if she wants to work in a wide range of jobs and professions."

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