A TEENAGER has been banned from her school - because she refuses to remove her lip piercing.

Rachel Ellis, 15, was excluded from school for three days after she had the stud put through her bottom lip.

Determined Rachel is refusing to remove the piercing - but does not want to miss the end-of-term ball.

She said: "I don't see why I should take it out, because it's got nothing to do with my schoolwork.

"I really like my piercing, and if I take it out now it will heal up."

She added: "Lots of pupils have piercings. But they just take them out, or hide them, whenever a teacher who complains walks past."

The teenager was excluded from Millthorpe School, Nunthorpe Lane, last Wednesday, but has not been back to lessons since because of the ongoing row.

Mum Paula Ellis, 38, a money advisor, said: "Rachel is really upset about the prom, as I've already spent £150 on her outfit and £110 on hiring a limousine for her and her friends. She will be devastated if she can't go."

Dad Steve, 37, a window fitter, added: "Rachel is standing up for her principles and doesn't want to back down.

"But it doesn't seem fair to ban her from the prom, because it is out of school time, and isn't even held on the premises."

The couple, of Dringhouses, are worried about the effect of missing so much school as Rachel is due to sit her GCSEs in a few weeks.

"She has been excluded just at the time when she should be at school revising," said Paula.

"I understand school policy - but Rachel has never, ever, been in trouble before and it seems silly to exclude her now."

Rachel, who has two sisters Tori, 14, and Alisha, eight, is expected to pass at least six GCSE's - far exceeding the grades she needs for her chosen childcare course at York College.

The teenager, who had her lip pierced in the Easter Holidays, also had studs in her belly button, and in her nose, which she often removes for school. Her mum said: "I can see the school's point of view. But Rachel feels she has been treated unfairly.

"I've been invited to see the headmaster on Thursday and then she'll have to decide what to do."

Headteacher Tony Wootton said Rachel was welcome back in lessons if she removed the piercing - and could be taught in isolation if she insisted on wearing it.

"We are not depriving her of her education and want her to be part of the school community," he said.

"But the prom, and an end-of-term trip to Alton Towers, are a celebration of school life.

"It would not be appropriate to allow her to take part in these privileges while she refuses to do as we request."

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, May 10, 2006