14 September 2023 , 08:53
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Furious parents have slammed a school after their daughters were told they can no longer turn up in trousers made out of "stretch" material despite wearing them for the past "five years".
Beacon Hill Academy, based in Dudley, West Midlands, has faced a backlash for "not supporting teens" during their final years of studies after pupils claim they were sent into isolation over the uniform row. The school, which previously featured on BBC behaviour documentary 'Helping Our Teens', is said to have issued a letter to some girls who had reportedly violated the uniform policy and offered a grace period.
Jo Farley, a 51-year-old mother, insists that there has never been a problem with the trousers before. Her daughter, Gabrielle, 15, wore a pair to school at the start of term. The mum said: "The stretch trousers have been worn by girls for the last three to five years and there has never been an issue. There was chaos at reception as many parents became aware and went to collect their children from the school.
Jo isn't happy with the new rules (Jo Farley / SWNS)
Gabrielle McGowan said she was previously allowed to wear the trousers (Jo Farley / SWNS)“[The parents] all feel our girls at this age with puberty and periods should be comfortable in school wear. There are so many children with mental health issues and this is having such an effect on them - it’s not fair. The school is not supporting our teens – there are year 10 and 11 students missing out on what they should be learning in their final years of education based on trousers.”
Jo said the issue began on the first day of term when teachers distributed letters outlining the uniform policy, reports Bristol Live. Students were given until Monday to comply with the new rules, but many continued to wear their usual stretch trousers. As a result, these students were allegedly removed from their regular classes and relocated to a drama classroom. "Yesterday the majority of the girls all went back in same trousers they've always been wearing to school - and were sent to the drama studio," Jo added.
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Fellow parent Elizabeth Moore, 37, also from Dudley, claimed around 30 parents turned up to the gates on Monday as the row escalated. She said: "My husband was there on Monday and said about 30 other parents were there at about 9am. He knows a few of them and said they were all there for the same reason - because of the uniform issue.
"I asked if he could go to pick Eva up, so he went to the school. We spoke when he got back and he said as he was leaving with Eva there were more people turning up. My husband was there on Monday and said about 30 other parents were there at about 9am. He knows a few of them and said they were all there for the same reason - because of the uniform issue."
Parents have hit out at the school for the change in uniform (Jo Farley / SWNS)In a statement released by Beacon Hill Academy, the spokesperson said: "Beacon Hill Academy is committed to upholding the highest standards through the vigorous pursuit of high expectations. At the beginning of the school year, it is important to achieve high levels of consistency across a whole range of measures, including uniform.
"This ensures that we operate a disciplined, safe and highly productive learning environment, enabling learners to flourish at our oversubscribed academy. Our expectations with regards to uniform have been made clear to both learners and parents/carers prior to the summer break, throughout the holiday via various channels and again during this term where the academy offered a further period of grace to support resolution. Our commitment to our high standards is unwavering, as is the support which we offer to families who may require financial assistance. It is a Dudley Academies Trust policy to support learners.
"All our year 7 learners are gifted a blazer and tie on joining Dudley Academies Trust. Furthermore, we believe that having high levels of consistency with ‘uniform’ is central to a thriving school, importantly securing an environment which supports learner mental health, creating a sense of belonging and reducing social pressures. Uniform which adheres to our policy creates a sense of equality and unity amongst learners helping to mitigate peer pressure related to clothing choices and in doing so, we strive to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment."
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