A 12-year-old girl has been threatened with detention because her school trousers end at her ankles rather than her shoe line. The schoolgirl's mum has trawled through 17 stores in an attempt to buy her 6ft tall daughter a pair of trousers that fit her - but she hasn't been able to find an "appropriate" pair.
She claims to have spoken to the school about the situation - but says they have been less than sympathetic and instead threatened her daughter with detention. She told Mumsnet : "My daughter is 6ft tall in flat shoes. Last year, I got her long trousers in a size 10 and there were no problems. She had slim leg trousers. I always ensure she has the correct uniform.
"This year has been hell! She now has 35 inch legs. Tall in most shops is a 34" but she needs 36" with shoes and growing room.
"I cannot find any and eventually had to settle for Next trousers with horizontal zips covered by her jumper."
However, the girl's teachers quickly picked up on the fact she was not wearing the 'correct' school trousers - and confronted her about it.
"I email her school to discuss concerns regarding what I felt may be back-chatting teachers," she added.
"I advised if [the teacher] was being cheeky there would be consequences - the teacher was meant to be investigated.
"Since last week, all the teacher emails about is her trousers."
The mum went on to explain how the only age-appropriate trousers in plain black cost £60 per pair from Long Tall Sally.
She said: "She needs three pairs so £180! I explained I am not paying that for three pairs of trousers.
"The head of year then sends me links to ASOS which I already trawled through - none are suitable.
"[She also sent a link to] Long Tall Sally sale which has jeggings, faux leather, suede, baggy trousers - she would get teased by peers."
The woman has taken to Mumsnet to ask users whether they have any thoughts on how to move forward with the situation, without having to spend £180 on school trousers.
One user said: "Can you go in and show them the measurements against your daughter?
"I get that schools have uniform policies but they shouldn't be so rigid that they prevent people from complying.
"Also, detention for clothing violations to me seems ridiculous.
"If people can't do whatever it is without being distracted by someone else's garb, then I'd suggest that they are the ones who need discipline."
Another user added: "Teen girls have super short skirts but your daughter's 'ankle grazer' trousers are unsuitable because they show a cm of ankle - gasp!
"Seriously I'd ignore and say she's not doing detention. I'm shocked they sent you links!"
A third user said: "From experience with a boy with the length and proportions of a stick of bamboo, the waist to hip ratio will be a problem.
"At anything less than around 32" waist, 36" inside leg trousers for men are very hard to find. I have had to search for 26" / 36" and then 28" / 36", I know.
"Girls have hips and definite waists, so anything long enough with a slim enough waist will be too tight on the hips, and anything long enough in the legs will be huge on the waist."
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
