Furious mum slams Sheffield school after daughter, 12, was excluded for wearing necklace

A furious Sheffield mum has slammed a secondary school for excluding her 12-year-old daughter from learning for wearing a necklace.
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The mum, Helen Aspinall, said the school - Outwood Academy City issued a one-day exclusion notice to the Year 7 pupil effective today (March 23).

She said: "She got detention last week for wearing a necklace. Why is she getting detention for wearing it? It's not affecting your learning.

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"Then they made her go to an isolation room where she was told to stay away from her friends. I told her not to do it and stand her ground because it's not affecting her learning."

Helen Aspinall said her daughter was excludedHelen Aspinall said her daughter was excluded
Helen Aspinall said her daughter was excluded

In a letter sent to her by the school, her daughter, Jessica Hopwood, was given 'fixed period exclusion' for one day, meaning she was not allowed in school in this period.

The exclusion, said the letter, requires the child not to be present in a public place at any time during school hours when excluded.

In a statement, the school's spokesperson said they are aware of the situation and have been in communication with the student's family but they try not to comment on individual cases.

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"We appreciate the concern for their child's learning, but ultimately we have a uniform and behaviour policy that is in place for all students to adhere to.

The offending necklace. The piece of jewellery is currently in the school's possession.The offending necklace. The piece of jewellery is currently in the school's possession.
The offending necklace. The piece of jewellery is currently in the school's possession.

"Our expectations are made clear to students on a daily basis and while we want to work with them to help them fulfill their potential, in return we expect them to follow our policies.

"These are in place for a reason as we strive to raise standards across the Outwood family, ensuring all students get the best education possible."

But the mum argued the school was not being fair to her child - as she was never given an instruction on the uniform policy.

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"She never got the correct information from the school as she made the transition (from Year 6 to 7) after lockdown.

Outwood Academy City.Outwood Academy City.
Outwood Academy City.

"So she never got to visit the school. The first time she went to the school was in September then lockdown happened.

"Why would she get detention if she was never informed?"

The mum said both she and her and daughter are due to attend a reintegration meeting at the school on Wednesday (March 24).

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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