Girl excluded after Sheffield school reintroduces uniform policy five weeks into new term

It has been claimed that a number of pupils at Sheffield Park Academy have been turned away from the school gates in recent days for having the wrong trousers, or put into an internal exclusion.

However, the school said its uniform policy has not changed, only that it has begun to properly enforce it again.

Parents with children at the school have contacted The Star to share their frustrations.

One father, whose daughter is in Year 11, said: “This is a vital year of their lives working towards GCSEs and I think it’s disgusting how they are been [sic] treated. The availability of these type of trousers are non-existent which leaves these children falling further behind regardless of the worry of COVID-19 in their minds.”

Another woman said she had to collect her niece from school after she was excluded “due to her trousers showing off to much of her figure.”

Sheffield Park Academy said that no students have been excluded or sent home because of their uniform, but those who repeatedly flout the policy will be subject to sanctions.

The school added: “The Academy has a long-established, common-sense uniform policy that is fully understood and supported by students and parents.

"Reminders are regularly sent to parents about adherence to the policy and this term the school gave parents and students several weeks’ notice that it would be properly enforced from the beginning of this week.

"All bar a handful of students have fully complied and support is being given to those who do not have the correct uniform.

“Given the current situation we are all in, the academy has been particularly tolerant at the beginning of term in giving all students time to conform in full with the policy and it is only now, five weeks in, that sanctions are being re-introduced. This has the over-whelming support of students and parents across the school community.

"The school is focused on ensuring that the academic year runs smoothly despite the constraints that Covid has placed on everyone. Adherence to school rules is an important aspect of this and includes following the policies on behaviour, attendance, uniform, respect to others and attitudes towards learning.”

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