Keaton Wyles walked out of Greenfields Community Primary School

by Nisha Chopra

A father has been left fuming after his seven-year-old son managed to walk out of school in the middle of the day.

Keaton Wyles left his Maidstone school through an open main gate - and ended up outside his house two busy streets away.

The youngster's parents were not at home and he was returned to Greenfields Community Primary School by staff.

His father claims it was 20 minutes before the school took any action over Keaton's disappearance.

However, the head teacher said staff "followed the correct procedure" and Keaton was "not wandering around on his own".

His route home to Drawbridge Close meant he walked down two main roads - Oxford Road and Northumberland Road.

Father Adam Wyles (pictured left with Keaton) claims it was only around 20 minutes after his son had gone missing that the school alerted Kent Police.

Police are not thought to have arrived at the school as Keaton was returned by staff.

Mr Wyles, 31, said: "My wife had a text from a neighbour saying ‘Is everything ok? Keaton is out front.’

"My wife was in town and I was at work. She had to phone the school to find out what had happened.

"There was no phone call at all to my wife's mobile or my contact numbers by the school.

"The school rung the police at 11am and said Keaton had been missing for about 15 to 20 minutes on their log so they hadn't got a clue where he was."

Mr Wyles said the school later got in touch with them to say he was back in class.

He added: "We asked why we weren't informed, as I have three sons in that school and they all have contact details.

"The school said the head teacher was in a meeting - so there was no effort on his part to go out and find Keaton.

"I cannot believe that a school today in 2012 hasn't got tighter security. The main gate is wide open for visitors continuously - you worry about people getting into school not children getting out."

Head teacher Dan Andrews said: "I am perfectly happy with what happened. I'm confident that all of my staff followed the correct procedure.

"As soon as he chose to leave, the police were called and he was returned to the school promptly and safely for the afternoon session."

Mr Andrews said Keaton was "at no point wandering around on his own", but declined to elaborate on the steps staff took to bring him back to school.