Pupils 'sent home or put in isolation' for wearing wrong uniform after reminder over standards

A crackdown on school dress code rules which saw many pupils excluded for wearing the wrong shoes has been slammed by parents.

Outwood Academy, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, has revisited its uniform policy as part of the drive to improve standards at the previously failing school.

Parents were sent reminders as to what is considered “correct” footwear at the academy.

The letter issued on Wednesday read: “Students should be wearing black shoes that can be polished. Any other colours of shoes, trainers or boots of any description are not permitted.”

But the Gazette understands several pupils fell foul of the rules within minutes of arriving on Friday morning.

Mum Jackie Hayes says her 14-year-old daughter Maddie Hayes has worn the same brand of shoe for the past three years without a problem.

“I received a call from Maddie’s school to say she was being excluded for the day for not wearing the right shoes,” said Jackie, 37, who is also mum to nine-year-old Lauren.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing because she has only ever worn plain black Kickers shoes which are sold as a popular school shoe.

Travel agent Jackie, from Coulby Newham, said her daughter was one of at least 20 pupils either sent home or put in isolation for wearing the wrong school attire.

“When I got to the school Maddie said she was at first given a detention and was given a pair of shoes by the school to put on. But when she refused she was told she was excluded.

“Attendance at the school is already a major issue yet they are sending kids home. Fair enough if the shoes were brightly coloured or had high heels, but Maddie’s are plain, basic, black shoes.”

Parents claim the school has changed its policy on footwear and decided Kickers were not suitable

Executive principal Rob Tarn said the uniform policy at Outwood has remained unchanged for the past year-and-a-half.

“Nothing has changed here, we have always been clear regarding our requirements with uniform and our Acklam academy has high expectations of student behaviour.

“This includes our clear guidance on footwear which has been shared with parents on a number of occasions.

“Students whose footwear does not meet the requirements are asked if they wish to borrow a pair of shoes bought by the Academy until they can purchase a more appropriate pair for themselves, a request which we deem to be reasonable.

“Part of the reason that examination results are rising so rapidly is that staff can focus on conversations about learning rather than have repeated conversations about compliance with uniform which is tremendously distracting.

"I would ask that parents give us their full support in our attempts to deliver an outstanding education for their children.”