Dozens of pupils kept out of class over socks & haircuts on first day back at Sheffield's new strictest school
One boy was hauled in over his haircut - despite not a word in the new behavioural policy about hairstyles
As many as 30 children missed out on their first day back in class over earrings, mismatched socks and haircuts at Sheffield new strictest school.
After a turbulent few years and being routinely ranked one of the worst performing schools in the city, Chaucer School reopened on September 1 under a new name after joining Mercia Learning Trust.
The new Mercia Northridge says it wants pupils to learn to “persevere when things are difficult and to take responsibility for themselves,” and now touts the same famously strict behaviour policy as the trust’s flagship Mercia School.
But if pupils and parents were hoping for a grace period to adjust to the new rules, they were mistaken.
The first day back on September 7 saw up to 30 pupils stopped at the gates and kept from class over infractions such as mismatched socks, ear studs with tiny gems in them, black shoes considered too ‘trainer like’, and haircuts, it is claimed.
They were tasked to read books in silence all day after they were placed in ‘reflection’ - referred to as ‘Internal Exclusion’ in the behavioural policy.
One boy was Joseph Hill, who spent his first day of Y8 sat in silence because of his haircut - a gelled two-inch long Mohican with shaved sides.
The 12-year-old says his haircut was welcome during his Y7 at Chaucer and even complimented by teachers.
Now, he says the same teachers make him feel “bullied”.
“I think it’s wrong to tell kids what to do with their own hair,” said Joseph.
“They used to like my hair and now they’re telling me I’m wrong for it - it feels like they’re bullying me for it.
“They sent me to reflection. They put a book down in front of me and said ‘sit in silence’. If you need the toilet, someone comes with you.
“There were 20 to 30 kids in the silent room. Some were there for the colour of their socks or having odd socks, or earrings or smart watches.
“It doesn’t make sense to put them away all day for tiny things. It’s like they’re trying to find excuses to keep ‘bad kids’ out of class.”
The new Mercia Northridge behaviour policy says children must not have “extreme or unnatural colours” in their hair - but says nothing about hairstyles alone.
Joseph’s dad, Tony Hill, said his son has had the same haircut for six years after seeing the style in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
“Chaucer were brilliant,” said Tony.
“Joseph visited three different schools but chose Chaucer because they said to him they liked his hair and they celebrated being a bit different.
“But on Monday he gets to the gates and the first teacher he met, who he knew last year, said his hair isn’t appropriate and he gets sent to reflection.
“Joseph has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum - he’s been so upset trying to get his head around why all his teachers say it’s no longer suitable.
“I think they’re trying to make an example of him.
“There’s nothing even in the behavioural policy about haircuts - they just just give you a look up and down and decide what is or isn’t suitable on the spot, and if you question it or even roll your eyes you’ll get sent to detention.
“They’ve turned it into a military school. Actually, I think military schools aren’t as strict.”
The Star asked Mercia Learning Trust what steps were taken to inform parents of the new behavioural policy, and which section was used to place Joseph in reflection.
The paper also asked if it was fair to place children in isolation for infractions not explicitly outlined in the policy, and whether a grace period was considered to allow children to adjust to the new rules.
Headteacher Joanna Crewe - who also held the post at Chaucer - said: "Mercia Northridge opened as a new school with clear school-wide expectations for pupils and families. These were communicated to pupils through assemblies during the summer term and to parents and carers through communications ahead of the new school year.
"Where individual concerns arose about uniform or presentation, families were contacted and given the opportunity to discuss and resolve the issue before pupils returned.
"As a result, the expectations around appearance and behaviour were in place from the beginning of the new school year. We recognise that the introduction of new school expectations is a significant change for pupils and families, and where families needed clarification or support, we worked with them to resolve issues.
“Our aim is to provide a calm, orderly and respectful environment where every pupil can learn and succeed, underpinned by kindness, perseverance and responsibility.”
Mercia School, on Carterknowle Road and upon which Mercia Northridge and its behaviour policy is modelled, is rated as one of the best performing in the country.
It is the most over-subscribed school in Sheffield, with its results among the best in the country.