THE row over school uniform at a York secondary school has intensified after one mother claimed her daughter was sent home for wearing the wrong trousers.

The Press reported yesterday how a uniform crackdown at Joseph Rowntree School in New Earswick had led some girls who were wearing trousers that were deemed too tight and who refused to change their clothes, to be excluded from lessons and taught in isolation, causing anger among some parents and pupils.

A number of irate parents have since contacted the paper, including mum Sandra Coning, of Alderley House, Birchfield Park, who said her 15-year-old daughter, Victoria has been sent home three times this week for wearing trousers deemed too tight.

Sandra said: "I am really not happy about the situation at all. She is supposed to be studying for her exams and being taken out of lessons isn't helping at all."

Simon Burrows, of Wycliffe Avenue, said his daughter, Kacey, 12, said: "Kacey returned to school after Christmas and was taken to one side and told her school trousers were not acceptable, so I went to Asda and bought a new pair of trousers that were clearly marked as school trousers. But when she went in to school she was told they weren't right."

She said she was told she had to get yet another pair of trousers.

Another mum, Vikki Cox, said she would like an apology from the school after her daughter, Leeha, 15, was put into isolation when she should have been revising for a mock geography exam.

The school categorically denied any pupils had been sent home because they were not wearing the correct uniform.

Head teacher Richard Crane said: "Our uniform policy has not changed. However, an increased number of students had begun to wear black jeans and stretchy trousers as school uniform. Whilst these items may be fashionable, they are not school uniform.

"Letters were sent as a reminder in good time to address the issue, appropriate notice was provided on our website and assemblies gave this clear message in school. After the Christmas break a further week's notice was given for parents and students to resolve any outstanding issues with uniform.

"The school bought new clothing to offer students who had not been able to buy replacements in time.

"We want to be clear that no student has been sent home for wearing incorrect uniform and that students were only sanctioned if they refused to change into the new clothing provided. We would like to thank parents and carers for their support in this matter and we look forward to a successful term at The Joseph Rowntree School."

He said it was not possible to talk about individual students.

 

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