Nova Hreod Academy accused of unfair punishments over uniform rules

The trust that manages Nova Hreod Academy insists that while a very small number of children are punished for incorrect uniforms, nobody has been directly suspended.

But multiple examples have been explained to the Advertiser where pupils have been sent home from class stemming from uniform issues.

One parent said: “There's an awful lot of children who have been suspended over silly things.”

Her own daughter was suspended “after 20 minutes” on the first day of school after being told to change her trousers which were deemed too tight and non-polishable shoes.

The mum said: “She was asked to change into their uniform. She said no. She suffers with sensory issues so trying to find her school clothes and shoes is an absolute nightmare. 

“So, she ended up telling them she's not changing the shoes and trousers and they suspended her for half the day for being defiant and not listening.”

“I think it is over-exaggerated how they're treating the children over school uniforms, with suspensions when they're meant to be in school for education.”

A second mum remembered: “My daughter did four days in a pleated grey skirt but because it's slightly too stretchy, like a jersey material. On day four they told her that it wasn't appropriate and she needed to put on a school skirt.

“Not a problem. She tried on about 10 skirts, didn't have any in her size. Rather than call me to bring her something it was straight to reflection (isolation).

“My daughter has autism and that's where we're in that vicious circle again, she won't go into reflection and that leads to suspension.”

The mother added: “Because of the autism, its the injustice that sets her off even more. In her head she struggles to make sense of the rules.”

“Don't get me wrong, I think they did need to bring up the standards because it was getting a little bit sloppy, so it did need changes.

“But I think it’s gone too far the other way the other way”.

The concern that uniform is being prioritised over education at the school is shared by others, including students.

One year 11 student, who has struggled with attendance, said: “They lied. They do suspend students for uniform. I have been one of them.

“I was suspended after trying to attend a cooking class for the first time in a year for not having a blazer.

“I only just started liking school and doing well, just to be thrown in the dark again.”

She claimed that “many students” have been suspended for reasons including the wrong fabric of a skirt, fake eyelashes, and shoes.

“It feels like a prison more than a school”, she said.

A petition started on Thursday, September 5, the day after term started, has over 400 signatures and describes uniform rules as “militant”.

A third mum said: “Nova saying it’s only a handful of people is a blatant lie and we have numbers to prove.”

She says her child faced unfair treatment after she sent her to school wearing crocs due to painful blisters on her feet.

She said: “I received a phone call to say I have three options: Reflection, a pair of shoes on with backs that would re-open the blisters or to go home and face a fine.

“I could not pick any of them as none of them were fair options.”(Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Unite Learning, which manages Nova Hreod, said in this case the school provided “entirely suitable alternatives”.

They added: “We are clear that no student has been suspended due to their uniform. If a student arrives wearing incorrect uniform the Academy will provide alternatives where possible. 

READ MORE: Swindon school responds to ‘military’ uniform policy complaints

“Students who refuse this alternative will temporarily be educated in the reflection room until the issue is resolved. 

“Students have only been suspended if they have repeatedly behaved in a disruptive or defiant manner either in the reflection room or around the academy.”

The spokesperson said all students will first be offered an alternative “where possible”.

They added: “The academy does not justify students missing school because of uniform issues and that is why such effort has gone into ensuring that students are assisted in having the correct uniform.

It said that when medical issues arise, the pastoral team are “happy to make appropriate adjustments, as long as they are appropriate and support the uniform policy”. If professional evidence is provided then unique uniform adjustments can be made.

Despite the hundreds of petition signatures, they said: “Last week 15 out of the 1,097 students were in the reflection room for uniform issues – although most for only a very short period of time whilst the issue was successfully resolved. 

“So when we state that the overwhelming majority of students are adhering to the uniform policy, this is indisputable.

“We accept that a few parents remain unhappy with the uniform policy and are vociferous in their objections. 

“We respect their views, will continue listening to them and are always happy to discuss issues with them. 

“But they are not representative of the school community and the overwhelming majority of parents and students who are successfully complying with the policy.”