A mum has slammed a school after her daughter was sent home just 10 minutes into the new term because teachers said her skirt was too short. Nicola Parkinson said her daughter Mia was one of several students to be sent home from Handsworth Grange Community Sports College in Sheffield on the first day.
The schoolgirl was wearing the same skirt she had worn last term, however under new uniform policies, it was no longer considered appropriate. Mia's 13-year-old cousin Ethan Teasdale was also sent home from class because of his shoes.
Again, the teen was wearing the same black trainers he had worn during the last school year, but was told on Monday that the gold trim on the heel of the footwear was against the school's uniform rules. Ethan's mum, Lauren Parkinson, was told he would not be allowed to return to class until he changed his shoes.
In a desperate bid to get her son into class, Ms Parkinson used a buy now, pay later deal to secure a second pair of black trainers; this time without trim.
She told the Mirror : "Ethan was excluded on Monday for his trainers, but they are the same shoes as last year, they have a small gold trim at the back. I asked the school why they aren't allowed, as he had the same style last year, and they said they are cracking down."
The mum said the school offered Ethan a pair of shoes to wear, but they were unsuitable due to his medical conditions. The 36-year-old, who works as a carer for vulnerable adults, added: "I had to spend £110 for some Nike Air Force Ones as they were totally black.
"I've had to get it on Klarna so I can pay it off each month." She added: "They go to school to get educated. What difference does a tiny bit of gold trim make? He's lost a week of school because of this."
Mia's mum Nicola also had forced to shell out more to get her child back in class, spending £60 on four new skirts that are longer. The 34-year-old mum-of-four said: "We haven't got the money to keep buying new uniform a day into the new term."
Bev Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Minerva Learning Trust which runs Handsworth Grange Community Sports College - where the cousins both attend - told the Mirror: "Only five students were suspended on the first day of term. No students were sent home for wearing incorrect uniform.
"Any student that arrives to school without the correct uniform is offered a replacement item from the school stock. We are not expecting our parents to buy new uniform items.
"Our uniform policy has remained the same for the last five years and is clearly set out on our school website. Parents and students have been reminded of our expectations before and during the summer holidays and have been provided ample time to buy school uniform that is in line with our uniform policy."
Ms Matthews added: "We understand the hardship that some families are currently experiencing. We have given out free uniform items to a number of students over the last few days.
"We also have a hardship fund which is accessible to any family or child that needs support during this difficult time. All parents/carers have been made aware of the support available to them and have access to the form on our school website where they can request support with any uniform items they are having difficulties with.
"So far, five parents have requested support through this avenue and we are in the process of working with them to ensure their child has the right uniform."
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