he reopening of Britain's smallest school has been canceled because its sole pupil failed to turn up for class, The Times reported on Friday.

The newspaper said the six-year-old girl's parents were unhappy with a teacher hired at public expense to teach the only primary school-aged youngster on Papa Stour, one of the Shetland Islands off the northeast coast of Scotland.

Jane Puckey had been due to start teaching the girl on Tuesday, reopening a school that had been closed for the last nine months after its former teachers retired and its only other pupil moved on to secondary school.

But the girl's mother, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect her daughter's privacy, is keeping her daughter at home.

"I was not consulted about the appointment," the mother said. "I mentioned to the old teacher as far back as last September that if Ms Puckey got the job my children would not be going to school.

Despite having just one pupil, the school is well-equipped and has a secretary, three computers, a television and an art room as well as a school house with three bedrooms.